The spectacular life in Pantanal

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Ecological  Paradise

The spectacular life in Pantanal

Stunning [1}  landscapes [2] and lots of species of birds [3], fish andmammals [4].  These are some of the attractions of Pantanal, one of the world’s most beautiful regions

The dream of any tourist going to Pantanal is to see a jaguar [5] and, if possible, take a photograph - but this is a very rare event. Jaguars live in hiding [6] in the forests [7]. However, many other animals can be seen up close [8], such as alligators [9], tapirs (antas), capivaras and otters (ariranhas).  Bird spotting is also easy for tourists. Birds such as the macaw (arara), toucan and stalks (tuiuiú), which is the symbol of Pantanal. The beauty of this region is also evident in the rivers, lakes, lagoons, and the great variety of plants, trees and other forms of vegetation. Tourists can see the beauty of the region in a traditional boat [10] from the area, called a “chalana”. Pantanal also has fantastic places to go fishing

and horse riding [11]. 

Where this ecological paradise is

     

This lush [12] region covers over 200,000 square kilometers [13], with twelve cities, and is between the States of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul. Up until the 1980s, Pantanal was not a very popular tourist destination for Brazilians. The main economic activity in the region is based on fishing and cattle farming [14]. As of the [15] 1990s, Pantanal became more popular with tourists from all over the world.   

Interesting facts about Pantanal

Birds and Fish – There are more species of bird in Pantanal (656) than in North America (about 500), and more species of freshwater fish (263) than in Europe (about 200). The best known fish are “dourado”, “pintado” and “pacu”.

Wet and Dry – Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter – the four seasons. But for those who live in Pantanal there are just two seasons, “Wet” [16] and “Dry” [17].  The rainy season is from November to April, when the rain is more intense and constant. The dry period is from May to October, when it rarely rains.

Climate – The summer is hot and humid. Temperatures get very high – easily over 40ºC. But the cold and dry weather comes in the winter, when there is a possibility of frost [18] and temperatures plunge to 0ºC.

World Heritage Site – The variety of plant and animal life is so great that Pantanal has been declared a World Heritage Site by the United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and is a permanent natural reserve, protected by several laws.

Matéria publicada na edição de número 46 da Revista Maganews.

Vocabulary

1 stunning – impressionante / maravilhoso

2 landscape – paisagem

3 bird – pássaro

4 mammal - mamífero

5 jaguar – onça

6 to live in hiding – viver escondido

7 forest – floresta / mata

8 to be seen up close – ser visto de perto

9 alligator – jacaré

10 boat – barco

11 horse riding - cavalgada

12 lush – deslumbrante

13 square kilometers  - quilômetros quadrados

14 cattle farming – pecuária

15 as of the – a partir de

16 wet – aqui = chuvoso / cheias

17 dry – seca

18 frost – geada