Mato Grosso - State of Brazil

Mato Grosso is proud to have a cultural identity built by integrating the tradition of South American Indians, African and European descendants and immigrants from every corner of Brazil. In the capital city of Cuiabá and in towns in the Pantanal region such as Cáceres, Poconé and Diamantino, the architectural heritage showcases part of the states history in cultural centers and museums. Declared by Unesco a Biosphere Reserve and World Natural Heritage, Pantanal is the largest floodplain in the world, making it a unique biome.

In the region of Chapada dos Guimarães, the orange-red sandstone walls stand out in the landscape. Canyons and caves house archaeological sites where traces of prehistoric populations and bones of dinosaurs have been found. Chapada offers several waterfalls and as it is 800 meters high, the temperature is a lot milder than in the rest of the state, where temperatures reach 40 degrees in the summer.

The town of Alta Floresta, great for fishing tourism, is the route of access to Cristalino Reserve, a 12-hectare large area of virgin forest, which is considered one of the most important bird watching centers in the Americas. The reserve borders the Cristalino State Park, whose main attractions are the trails through the jungle that ensure contact with nature and local wildlife.

(Source: Embratur). More: History of Brazil ►