Brazil: State of Goiás

Goiás, center west region, nestled in the heart of Brazil, is a state surrounded by Tocantins, Bahia, Minas Gerais, the Federal District of Brazil, Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso. It is the most populous State of the region and is characterized by its extensive plateaus. Its driest period is between June and September, when the beaches of the Araguaia River are exposed by an amazing two extra kilometers due to the falling of the water level. This is a very popular tourist attraction, drawing hordes of visitors to Goiás each year.

Araguaia River meandering through tropical rainforest in Brazil.

Goiânia is the capital city of the State and is its largest. Nationally recognized as one of the best Brazilian cities to live. Goiânia is a young and dynamic city. With a population of over one million inhabitants, received contributions to the formation of goianiense from the most diverse States in search of a vibrant city, hungry for strengthening the economy after the gold cycle and, in particular, on the rise with agribusiness exporter. 

Goiânia, the State Capital

Goiânia at night. Photo Flickr by JN Singh

Goiânia. Photo Flickr by Claudia Oseki

Goiânia, Gyn - Parque das Laranjeiras. Photo Flickr by VictorCamilo

Goiânia, hammocks for sale. Photo Flickr by OsvaldoEaf

Interesting curiosity:

Photo Flickr by VictorCamilo

In Goiânia also has the CowParede, what it's the largest and most successful public art event in the world. The sculptures of cows in fiberglass are decorated by local artists, and distributed by the cities and in public places such as subway stations, streets and parks . After exposure, the cows are auctioned and the money is delivered to the charities.  The cows are painted by local artists: Painters, sculptors, craftsmen, architects, designers and other creative and artistic people are welcome to submit a project for selection from unknown amateurs and even professional and famous.

Art:  Fuxico Cow. Artist:   Escola Municipal Marechal Ribas Junior. Credit: cowparede 

Art: Merilú. Artist:  Escola Municipal Marcos Antônio Dias Batista. Credit: cowparede 

Art: Maravilha Goiana, Artist:  Anna Carolina Cruz. Credit: cowparede

Since 1999, the art event has gone through more than 55 cities worldwide, including Chicago (1999), New York City (2000 ), London (2002 ), Tokyo (2003) and Brussels (2003), Dublin (2003), Prague (2004) and Stockholm (2004), Mexico City (2005), São Paulo (2005 ), Curitiba (2006), Belo Horizonte (2006), Boston (2006), Paris (2006), Rio de Janeiro (2007), Milan (2007) and Istanbul (2007), Madrid (2008), Taipei (2009) .

Around the world, more than 5,000 artists participated in CowParade, it's estimated that over 150 million people have seen one of our famous cows and $ 22 million was raised for charities through the auction of the cows ..

The goianiense panorama indeed planned to Art Deco style, seen as Artistic and Historical Heritage of Brazil as the second greatest asset  in the world, reveals architectural nuances and hidden beauties throughout the city. Highlights for the urban set of civic square, where the Palace of Emeralds and Zoroastro Artiaga Museum, Teatro Goiânia, the old Railway Station and Avenida Goiás are situated. The capital is also reference in shopping, health care, considered also a polo of clothing, business and events.

Goiânia, Old Railway Station. Photo Flickr by Gabriel Werneck

Zoroaster Artiaga Museum. Photo Flickr by Carlos J. Castro

Palácio das Esmeraldas is the official seat of state government since 1937 (Palace of Emeralds is so named because of the emerald green color of the facade, giving the impression that the whole palace is made of stone with emeralds)

Teatro Goiânia (Theater). Photo Flickr by Anne Lotte

Initially, the entire state covered more than 600 000 square kilometers (or 230 000 square miles), which is quite considerable. But, in 1989, it was split and the northern half was created another state: the State of Tocantins, while the southern half remained Goiás.

The vegetation of Goiás is defined as woodland savanna. However, much of this, as well as some of the tropical rainforests that line the rivers, have been damaged and destroyed to make way for farming. The tropical climate means pleasant daytime temperatures, even in the winter months.

The typical woodland savanna vegetation has gnarled trunks, short stature, with thick shells and thick leaves. In general, the roots of your trees are pivoting, linked to groundwater which may facilitate its development for up to 15 feet deep.

Within the Federal District and other urban areas, this State is densely populated. However, as soon as one ventures out of these epicenters, the population numbers decrease significantly. 

The service sector contributes the largest percentage to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the state, followed by the industrial and agricultural sectors. Cattle farming continues to generate an enormous revenue for the inhabitants, while the agriculture of sugarcane, tomatoes, rice, cotton and beans also plays a major role.

Goiás is Brazilian leader in poultry production (14.320 million chickens) 

There are several soybean crusher operations and soybean industries in Goiás. Soybeans are exported via the Dry Port in Anápolis, Goiás by rail to the sea port in Vitória, the State of Espírito Santo and from the inland river port of São Simon, Goiás to ports in the Southern part of Brazil. In 2003, about 6.3 million tons of soybean were produced in Goiás making the State the 4th largest national producer.

Goiás is a constant invitation to visitors. Destinations that meet the desire of people of all ages. Styles that include everyone. Landscapes are eye popping, ecotourism circuits, cultural events, spas, hot springs and fishing routes. This is all not to mention the exciting nightlife of Goiás cities, which complement the leisure alternatives with bars, restaurants, nightclubs and parties.

Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Goiás include:

• Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park

• The city of Goiás (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)

• Emas National Park (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site)

• The city of Pirenópolis

• Água Quente (Caldas Novas e Rio Quente cities)

• Serra Dourada State Park 

(Source: Site Brazil)

Goiás Government web site: http://www.goias.gov.br/

I'm going to show these tourist attractions in the next post...