Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
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The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses) is located in Maranhão state, in northeastern Brazil, just east of the Baia de São José, between 02º19’—02º45’ S and 42º44’—43º29’ W. It is an area of low, flat, occasionally flooded land, overlaid with large, discrete sand dunes. It encompasses roughly 1000 square kilometers, and despite abundant rain, supports almost no vegetation. The park was created on June 02, 1981.
The region was featured in the Brazilian film The House of Sand.
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[edit] Visiting
The National Park is quite extensive and has no access roads. Small walks can be made on foot. For longer walks, one needs a 4x4 vehicle or a donkey.
[edit] Transportation links
There are several regular bus routes between Barreirinhas and São Luís, a distance of about 350km. There are air taxis from São Luís to Barreirinhas. There is also a river link via the Rio Preguiças to Atins, at the edge of the park. The BR-135 and BR-222 highways connect São Luís to Barreirinhas.
[edit] Folklore
According to local lore, the region was inhabitant by caeté Indians, who woke up one day with their town covered by sand.
[edit] Lagoons in the desert
It may be surprising that there is a desert in a tropical country like Brazil, known for its beaches and lush forests. However, it is no ordinary desert: there are green and blue lagoons amidst the vast sand dunes, lending the appearance of an oasis. This oddity of nature is possible thanks to the rains that fall on the region during the first half of the year and feed into these lagoons.
[edit] Inhabitants
The inhabitants of the park work as fishermen during the rainy season. During the dry season, many leave for neighbouring regions to work small plots.
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
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