Maranhão

Quick Facts: Who was Maranhão?

Subject:

Maranhão

Known for:

A state in Brazil's Northeast Region, known for its unique culture and natural wonders.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Maranhão (, MAH-rə-NYOWN; Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation: [maɾɐˈɲɐ̃w] ) is a state in Brazil. Located in Brazil's Northeast Region, it has a population of about 7 million, an area of 332,000 km² (128,000 sq mi), and is divided into 217 municipalities. Clockwise from the north, it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, with a coastline of 2,243 km, and by the states of Piauí, Tocantins, and Pará. The people of Maranhão have a distinctive accent among Northeastern Brazilian Portuguese dialects. Maranhão is featured in literary works such as Exile Song by Gonçalves Dias and Casa de Pensão by Aluísio Azevedo.

Career & Major Achievements

The dunes of Lençóis are an important area of environmental preservation. Also of interest is the state capital of São Luís, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another important conservation area is the Parnaíba River Delta, between the states of Maranhão and Piauí, with its lagoons, sand dunes, and uninhabited beaches and islands, such as Caju Island, which provides habitat for rare bird species. The northern portion of the state is a heavily forested plain traversed by numerous rivers, occupied by the eastern extension of the tropical moist forests of Amazonia. The Tocantins–Araguaia–Maranhão moist forests occupy the northwestern portion of the state, extending from the Pindaré River west into neighboring Pará state.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The north-central and northeastern portion of the state, extending eastward into northern Piauí, is home to the Maranhão Babaçu forests, a tropical moist forest ecoregion dominated by the Babaçu palm. The Babaçu palm produces oil which is extracted commercially and used for a variety of purposes including food and beauty products. The southern portion of the state belong to the lower terraces of the great Brazilian Highlands, occupied by the Cerrado savannas. Several plateau escarpments, including the Chapada das Mangabeiras, Serra do Tiracambu, and Serra das Alpercatas, mark the state's northern margin and the outlines of river valleys. The climate is hot, and the year is divided into a wet and dry season.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Maranhão

True or False: “The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is characterized by dense tropical rainforests year-round.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The park is famous for its sand dunes and lagoons, which are seasonal features rather than being perpetually covered by dense rainforest.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Maranhão