Mato Grosso

Mato Grosso (pron. IPA: ['ma.tu 'gɾo.su]) is one of the states of Brazil, located in the western part of the country. Neighboring states are (from west clockwise) Rondônia, Amazonas, Pará, Tocantins, Goiás and Mato Grosso do Sul. It also borders Bolivia to the southwest.

The name literally means "thick jungle". Apart from the state capital, Cuiabá, there are few cities. The most important are

[edit] Geography

The state contains the swamps of the Pantanal region, as well as the Planalto do Mato Grosso with its abundant savannah and woodland.

Mato Grosso is an essentially agrarian state, with economy based on cattle-raising. The Chapada do Guimarães National Park is located in the state.

The Transpantaneira is an unpaved highway which was begun in the 1970s. Originally planned to cross the Pantanal, it was never finished and is now mostly used for tourist excursions.

The Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT) has several locations throughout the state, with 4 campuses, 5 distance education centers, one experimental farm, one research base at the Pantanal, the University Hospital and 10 teaching advanced posts. The University has been directed by Rector Paulo Speller since 2000.

[edit] History

In 1977 the state was split into two halves, with Mato Grosso do Sul becoming a new state. The Bororo Indians live in the Mato Grosso area.

Mato Grosso is also the state in Brazil in which the most deforestation of Brazil's portion of the Amazon Rainforest has taken place.

The historic remoteness of this area led it to be the subject of exploration, most notably by Captain Percy Fawcett, in the quest for lost cities. It was also the rumored location of access to the interior of the earth in various Hollow Earth theories.

[edit] Flag

The flag has the same colors as the national flag, with blue symbolizing the sky, green the vegetation, and white standing for peace. The star is yellow to symbolize the gold which attracted the first settlers. The flag was adopted by Decree No. 2 of January 31, 1890, just few days after the adoption of the national flag. The Mato Grosso state flag was abolished by Law No. 1.046 of October 8, 1929, but reinstated by article 140 of the Constitution of the State of Mato Grosso on July 11, 1947.