Mato Grosso do Sul: Pantanal, nature and water

This post is also available in: Deutsch

Mato Grosso do Sul is a state of Brazil located in the central eastern region of the country, bordering Paraguay and Bolivia. Its territory is as large as that of Germany but despite this it is only the sixth largest Brazilian state, and its surface represents just over 4% of the total surface of Brazil. These numbers give a picture of the size of Brazil.

The Mato Grosso do Sul borders on the Brazilian states of Goiás, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, Paraná and São Paulo. In addition to bordering with Paraguay and Bolivia. The capital and largest city of the state is Campo Grande, located right in the center of the state.

A FLAT REGION RICH IN RIVERS

The territory of Mato Grosso do Sul is largely formed by flat areas with average altitudes between 100 and 600 meters. There are numerous rivers that cross it. The two most important rivers are Paraná and Paraguai. Paraná flows in the southeast of the country. While Paraguai flows west, partially marking the border with the Republic of Paraguay.

THE PANTANAL

The Pantanal is an alluvial plain subject to periodic flooding, the altitude of which varies between 100 and 200 meters. This region extends in the south of Mato Grosso and in the north-west of Mato Grosso do Sul, in northern Paraguay and in eastern Bolivia. The Pantanal occupies a large part of the north western section of the state and is the main geographical feature of the territory.

In the central area of the state there are some low mountain ranges. Among these we find the Serra da Bodoquena and the Serra de Maracaju, which do not exceed 800 meters in height. While to the east is the sedimentary plateau of Paraná. The highest point of Mato Grosso do Sul is the Maciço do Urucum (1,065 meters). This mountain is located in the Pantanal, near the city of Corumbá, in the western part of the country not far from the border with Bolivia.

Some Jesuit missions were founded in the region of Mato Grosso do Sul in the 17th century. But the real colonization of the region by the Portuguese began only from the mid-18th century.

This state is known above all for its natural beauty, among which the most famous is the Pantanal. Today this region is one of the main destinations for naturalistic tourism in Brazil.

The climate of Mato Grosso do Sul.

• Area: 357,124 km²
• Population: 2,449,341. Whites 51.8%, mulattos 44.5%, blacks 5.1%, indigenous 0.8%, Asians 0.6%.
• Capital: Campo Grande
• Time zone: UTC-4 (Summer UTC -3)

This post is also available in: Deutsch