Xingu National Park
The Xingu National Park (Parque Nacional Xingu) (pronounced [ʃĩˈɡu]) is located in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. It was created on April 14, 1958, after a campaign by the Villas-Bôas brothers for protection of the region. The decree creating the park was signed by President Jânio Quadros. The area of the park is 2,642,003 ha.(26,420 km²), and it is contained in the municipalities of Mato Grosso; Canarana, Paranatinga, São Félix do Araguaia, São José do Xingu, Gaúcha do Norte, Feliz Natal, Querência, União do Sul, Nova Ubiratã and Marcelândia.
The National Park created with the twin objectives of protecting the environment and the indigenous populations of the area.
The tribes which are present includes (population as of 2002) Kamayurá (355), Kaiabi (745), Yudjá (248), Aweti (138), Mehinako (199), Wauja (321), Yawalapiti (208), Ikpeng (319), Kalapalo (417), Kuikuro (415), Matipu (119), Nahukwá (105), Suyá (334) and Trumai (120).
Part of the intrigue of the Xingu area is the drama associated with early-20th century exploration by Europeans, among whom perhaps Percy Harrison Fawcett is most notable. He sought out a city rumored since early 16th-century European contact. David Grann's book, The Lost City of Z documents not only those early explorations, but more recent findings supporting the concept of large-scale civilizations pre-dating Spanish and Portuguese contacts.
External links
- Interview with Orlando Villas Boas on the history of the park (in Portuguese):
- Photographs of everyday life in the park:
- Map of Xingu National Park:
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Coordinates: 11°13′55″S 53°11′06″W / 11.232°S 53.185°W
