"The Battle of Belo Monte": all about the Third Largest Dam in the World

12/21/2013 - 17h13

Today, the Folha website published the English version of "The Battle of Belo Monte", the first multimedia article from the 'All About' series that launched other digital dossiers over 2014.

"The Battle of Belo Monte" can be seen at http://www.folha.com/belomonte-en

The English translation was done by journalist and writer Michael Kepp.

Belo Monte, when completely operational in 2019, will be the third largest dam in the world with 11,233 Megawatts (MW). It only loses in capacity to China's Three Gorges (22,720 MW) and the Binational (Brazil/Paraguay) Itaipu (14,000 MW).

With its 25,000 workers and a cost of R$ 30 billion (US$ 13 billion), it is the largest infrastructure piece in Dilma Rousseff's government. It has been the subject of dozens of lawsuits, labor strikes and construction site work stoppages brought on by indigenous groups.

As with the original report, the English site contains dozens of photographs, videos and graphics. In order to cover as many points of view on the controversial construction, the text is divided into five chapters: Work, Environment, Society, Indigenous Peoples and History.

The 'Folhacóptero' game has also been translated into English, allowing the viewer the ability to fly over the area where the dam is being built.

As the game progresses, the player gains more information about the work. The game can be played through a browser via keyboard commands or downloaded as applications for phones and tablets with Android and iOS. In these cases, the commands are executed through a button on the right of the touch screen.

Translated by STEVE HUGHES

Read the article in the original language