ECOCITY BRASIL

THE PARNAÍBA RIVER DELTA

The Parnaíba River Delta is one of the largest in the world, comparable in size to the deltas of The Nile in Africa and The Mekong in Asia. An important wetland, the delta area is both a natural boundary between the states of Piauí and Maranhao and a valuable source of life for thousands of species.

Beautiful and unspoilt, it was inevitable that a region such as the 2,700 square kilometre Parnaíba River Delta - the Parnaíba River originates in the Chapada das Mangabeiras Mountain Range before flowing some 1,700 kilometres northwards - would, at some point, attract tourists keen to experience something a little different. However, the national and state government are keen to only promote the area as a location for ecotourism and sustainable real estate, and will only give full government-backing to developments and tour operators that toe the eco-friendly line, something Ecocity Brasil is doing at every step.

Lençois Maranhenses National Park

155,000 hectares of sweeping dunes and sparkling lagoons makes up the Lençois Maranhenses National Park which lies right next door to Ecocity Brasil. Flecked with crystal clear lagoons that attract migratory fish and birds to the nutrient-rich but temporary waters every year, the most notable are Laguna Azul - a crystal-clear pool of water; Laguna Boa Esperanca - perfect for swimming in; and the Laguna de Santo Amaro - the largest and most impressive lagoon found anywhere in Lençois. There are also pockets of humanity, such as the small, isolated hamlet of Baja Grande, where life has remained largely unchanged for centuries. True eco-living!

Flora & Fauna

Brazil's huge size makes it home for a wide range of unique plant and wildlife species. The Amazon rainforest is the largest ‘jungle' in the world and home to 20% of all birds on earth, as well as over 6,000 different plant species in each square kilometre. The Amazon's animals are equally unique; it's the only place in the world where you'll find river dolphins, capybara and the majestic - and extremely rare - spotted Jaguar, which is larger than a lion. Bull sharks have even been spotted lurking in the Amazon's murky waters some 100 kilometres inland.

Brazil's Atlantic forest is an equally important and bio-diverse ecosystem, with much plantlife lining a narrow strip of land along the coast, from Rio Grande do Norte in the north the Rio Grande do Sul in the south. There are thousands of beautiful and unique animals, including lion tamarins - with the distinctive manes around their faces. Ranging from mangrove forest to tropical savannas and subtropical moist forest, this beautiful region is both distinctive and highly sought; extensive farming, sugar cane plantation and coffee production has led to massive deforestation, so much so that only 10% of the forest exists today.

With its vast protected areas, conservation centres and eco-conference facilities that will regularly highlight and educate, Ecocity Brasil's protection and preservation of the Parnaíba River Delta is therefore even more essential, so that future generations can enjoy the natural beauty of this stunning corner of the earth.