Mato Grosso
Located in the Midwest Region of Brazil, the territory of Mato Grosso state includes two of the most important ecosystems in the world - the Amazon, in the north region of the state, and the Pantanal, in the south region. Its capital, Cuiabá, is also known as the “Green City” (“Cidade Verde”) due to its large forestation.
A Natural Heritage of Humanity, the Pantanal is the natural habitat of over 650 known species of birds. The Amazon of Mato Grosso state is a land-based forest, with immense trees whose crowns converge to form a dense and somewhat easily crossable forest. This is the region with the most fertile soil in Amazon.
Other attractions include the Xingu Indigenous Reserve (Parque Indígena do Xingu), the largest in the world and home to approximately 5,500 Indians of various ethnicities, and the Chapada dos Guimarães, characterised by its gigantic stone sculptures and beautiful hiking trails.
One of the 12 hosts of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Cuiabá is also the stage for the Cuiabá-Chapada Cycle Tour, the preparatory phase of international competitions for Brazilian athletes, and the Kings Race, the main street race of the Midwest Region. Some of the most notable local athletes include Ana Sátila, who guaranteed a slot in the Canoe Slalom events of the London 2012 Olympic Games, and Claudia Paula, of only 15 years of age, the Paralympic athlete of Goalball who represented the state at Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, and at the 2011 Parapan American Games in Mexico.
