In contrast to the scrublands that border it to the south, the Amazonian rainforest and the waters that drain it have a remarkable abundance of plant and animal life, even though the ecosystem is a fragile one that can easily be destroyed. While giving the impression of monotony because of the apparently similar tree crowns that rise to a more or less uniform height of around 150 to 200 feet, these lands contain the greatest variety of …showed first 75 words of 1548 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1548 total…led to a series of physical and social problems, while the demand for housing has raised land values to staggering heights. As a result, members of the middle class have been forced more and more to live in minuscule apartments in densely packed high-rises, while the poor are confined to shantytowns, so-called favelas, or in more distant developments that may be several hours away from the workplace.