'Mato Grosso do Sul' (
pron. [1]) is one of the
states of
Brazil.
Neighbouring states are (from north clockwise)
Mato Grosso,
Goiás,
Minas Gerais,
São Paulo and
Paraná. It also borders the countries of
Paraguay and
Bolivia to the west.
Mato Grosso do Sul literally means "Southern Thick Forest", a name inherited from its northern neighbour state of Mato Grosso, of which it was part until split in the 70s.
It is not uncommon for people to mistakenly refer to Mato Grosso do Sul as simply "Mato Grosso", which has prompted the government to consider changing its name to "
Pantanal", a reference to its best known geographical feature (see below).
Geography
Climate
Mato Grosso do Sul has
humid Subtropical and
tropical climate. The annual rainfall is 1.500 mm. January is the warmest month, with mean maxima of 34°C and minima of 24°C and more
rain; July experiences the coldest temperatures, with mean maxima of 25°C and minima of 15°C and
sun.
Vegetation
★ The "
cerrado" landscape is characterized by extensive savanna formations crossed by gallery forests and stream valleys. Cerrado includes various types of vegetation. Humid fields and "buriti" palm paths are found where the water table is near the surface. Alpine pastures occur at higher altitudes and mesophytic forests on more fertile soils. The "cerrado" trees have characteristic twisted trunks covered by a thick bark, and leaves which are usually broad and rigid. Many herbaceous plants have extensive roots to store water and nutrients. The plant's thick bark and roots serve as adaptations for the periodic fires which sweep the cerrado landscape. The adaptations protect the plants from destruction and make them capable of sprouting again after the fire.
★ The state is located in western Brazil, in a region mostly occupied by the inland marshes of the
Pantanal.
Mato Grosso do Sul is subdivided into 11 regions with 78 municipalities. Larger cities include:
★
Campo Grande, the capital of the state.
★
Corumbá
★
Dourados
★
Ponta Porã
★
Três Lagoas
★
Aquidauana
★
NaviraÃ
★
Bonito, a bustling tourist destination best known for crystal clear rivers and beautiful cave formations. The name "Bonito" means, unsurprisingly, "Pretty". Bonito isn't the larger city of the Mato Grosso do Sul
See also:
★
List of cities in Brazil (all cities and municipalities)
The highest elevation is the 1,065m high Morro Grande.
History
In
1977 the state was created by dividing the state of Mato Grosso. Its status as a state went into full effect two years later on
January 1,
1979
Demographics
As of the census of 2006, the population was 2,297,981 hab. The
population density was 6,42 hab./km².
Mato Grosso do Sul Ethnic Groups
According to the 2007 census, the racial makeup of the state was:
★ 94%
White and
Mixed.
★
★ Majority
Portuguese,
Italian and
German descent.
★
★ Minority
Spanish,
Lebanese descent.
★ 4%
Black.
★ 2%
Amerindian our
Asian.
Mato Grosso do Sul Demographics History
1.
Amerindians, Brazil's indigenous population, came from human groups that migrated from
Siberia across the
Bering Strait around 9000 BC.
2.
Portuguese colonists and settlers, arriving from 1500 onward.
3. Diverse groups of
immigrants from
Europe arriving in Mato Grosso do Sul during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
4.
African slaves brought to the country from 1530 until the end of the slave trade in 1850.
Education
Portuguese language is the official language of schools. But
English language and
Spanish language are part of the official
high school curriculum.
Colleges and universities
Mato Grosso do Sul has a:
★
Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS);
★ Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS);
★ Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, and more others.
Economy
Mato Grosso do Sul's economy is based primarily on farm products, of which
cattle-raising is probably the most important. Other agrarian products include
sugarcane,
wheat,
soybeans,
manioc,
rice and
cotton.
Culture
===
Festa Junina (Saint John Festival)===
Festa Junina was introduced to Northeastern
Brazil by the
Portuguese for whom St John's day (also celebrated as
Midsummer Day in several
European countries), on the 24th of June, is one of the oldest and most popular celebrations of the year. Differently, of course, from what happens on the European
Midsummer Day, the festivities in Brazil do not take place during the
summer solstice but during the tropical
winter solstice. The festivities traditionally begin after the 12th of June, on the eve of St Anthony's day, and last until the 29th, which is Saint Peter's day. During these fifteen days, there are
bonfires,
fireworks, and folk dancing in selected places. Once exclusively a rural festivity, today, in Brazil, it is largely a city festival during which people joyfully and theatrically mimic peasant stereotypes and cliches in a spirit of joke and good time. Typical refreshments and dishes are served. It should be noted that, like during Carnival, these festivities involve costumes-wearing (in this case, peasant costumes), dancing, and visual spectacles (fireworks display and folk dancing). Like what happens on
Midsummer and St John's Day in Europe,
bonfires are a central part of these festivities in Brazil.
Carnival
The four-day period before Lent leading up to Ash Wednesday is
carnival time in
Brazil. Rich and poor alike forget their cares as they party in the streets.
Infrastructure
International airport
The operation of 'Campo Grande International Airport' is shared with the Campo Grande Air Base. The airport has two runways.
Construction of the main runway, made of concrete, began in 1950 and was finished in 1953. The passenger terminal was concluded in 1964, and in 1967 concrete aprons were built for both military and civilian aircraft.
As commercial aviation demand grew, it became necessary to widen the civil aircraft apron, which was completed 12 years after its construction. The airport has been administered by Inferaero since 1975.
Events
Campo Grande Film Festival
It's a film festival held annually in the months of January and February and has been arranged since 2004. It focuses on the independent cinema presenting Brazilian films and foreign films as well. It also presents regional films and short films.
Flag
Mato Grosso do Sul's flag was designed by Mauro Michael Munhoz. A white stripe divides an upper left green corner from a bottom right blue space with a yellow star. White symbolizes hope, green is an allusion to the state's rich flora, blue represents its vast sky, while the yellow star adds balance, force and serenity.
Notes
1. The presented pronunciation is in Brazilian Portuguese. The European Portuguese pronunciation is: //.
External links
★
Brazilian Embassy in London
★
Official website (Portuguese)
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