Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MATO GROSSO &
MATO GROSSO DO SUL
O
nce a destination for explorers and gold hunters, today
Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul attract avid nature-
lovers. The world's largest wetland and a vital ecosystem,
the Pantanal straddles both states. Blessed with crystalline rivers and
spectacular national parks, and dotted with ranches and farms, this
vast region is still home to a large population of indigenous groups.
Explorations of Mato Grosso
were limited to nature
expeditions and Jesuit
missionaries until the
discovery of gold in the
18th century. The gold rush led
to clashes between Europeans and
indigenous groups. Many of these
groups, such as the Bororo and
Kayapó, still live in this state.
The building of Brasília as the new
capital of Brazil brought waves of
migrant workers to the Central West
in the mid-20th century. In 1979, the
state was split into Mato Grosso and
Mato Grosso do Sul, divided by the
star attraction of the region, the
wetlands of the Pantanal.
Very few places in the world can
boast such enormous numbers of
large birds as the Pantanal. While
wildlife can be difficult to see
in the closed forests of the
Amazon, it is visible in
abundance here. In July
and August, storks, ibis,
herons, and huge, colorful
parrots swarm the Pantanal, and
can even be seen while driving
along dirt roads. The wetlands are
home to a diverse range of wildlife,
including the anaconda, the elusive
jaguar, and giant otter.
Outside the Pantanal, large tracts of
farmland are broken by low mountains
and giant, sluggish rivers. Amazon
forests cling on in places such as Alta
Floresta, Chapada dos Guimarães,
and Bonito despite the expansion of
the soya industry. The entire region
offers prime opportunities for bird-
watching, angling, and snorkeling.
Capybara, the largest rodent in the world, frequently spotted in water ponds of the Pantanal
Limestone rock formations and transparent blue waters, Gruta do Lago Azul, Bonito
