Guide to Brazil
Maranhão
Maranhão is located in the North Region of Brazil and has the most diverse ecosystem in the country: tropical beaches, the Amazon rainforest, savannah (cerrados) and mangroves; the Parnaíba Delta (Delta do Parnaíba), the third largest delta ocean in the world; and a desert painted with crystal clear lagoons – the Lençóis Maranhenses. This geographic diversity is complemented by the local crafts and traditional festivals such as the colourful Bumba-meu-boi. With almost half of the population living outside urban areas, family farming and fishing continue to be important to the economy: the state is responsible for the largest Brazilian production of small-scale fish, which includes various types of shrimp and crabs.
Its capital, São Luís, is famous for its Historic Centre, where the past is still present in over the 5,000 brick buildings which can be traced back to the 17th and 19th centuries. It was founded in 1612 by the French, then invaded by the Dutch and later, colonised by the Portuguese. Currently, its rich architectural complex is occupied with a series of shops, cinemas, museums, theatres, bars, restaurants and hotels.
São Luis is the hometown of athlete Iziane from the Women's Brazilian National Basketball Team, and who won the bronze medal during the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara.