For decades, the joke about Brazil has been that it\'s the country of the future -- and always will be. Despite enormous natural resources, it has long displayed an uncanny ability to squander its vast potential. Now it\'s beginning to look like Brazil might have the last laugh.

While most of the world is consumed with debt and unemployment, Brazil is trying to figure out how to manage an economic boom. As we first reported last December, it was the last country to enter the Great Recession, the first to leave it, and is now poised to overtake France and Britain as the world\'s fifth largest economy.

With the World Cup and the Olympics on their way, Brazil is about to make its grand entrance on the global stage.


여기서
 As we first reported last December, it was the last country to enter the Great Recession, the first to leave it
 

앞에 문장은 우리가 저번 12월에 처음 보고했듯이, 브라질은 대공황에 진입한 마지막 국가였고 이렇게 해석하는 게 맞나요?

그리고 the first to leave it 이 무슨 뜻이죠?