| Chapada Diamantina National Park | |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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| Location | Bahia, Brasil |
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| Area | 1,520 km² |
| Established | 1980s |
The Chapada Diamantina National Park (Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina in Portuguese) is a 1,520 km² national park in the Chapada Diamantina region of Bahia state in the Northeast of Brazil. The park is located between 41º35’-41º15’W and 12º25’-13º20’S; approximately 400 kilometres inland from Salvador, the capital city of Bahia.
Chapada is a Brazilian word that means a region of steep cliffs, usually at the edge of a plateau. Diamantina refers to the diamonds found there in the mid 1800s.
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History
The park was created in the 1980s in response to growing ecotourism.
Geography
The region is semi-arid, however it has no shortage of water, from the many rivers and streams. On average, the altitude of the park is between 800 and 1000 metres above sea level, although parts are as high as 2000 metres above. The park is typified by hills, mountains, valleys and monoliths, with few plains.
Acess
Weekly flights by TRIP Linhas Aéreas links the gateway of Chapada Diamantina with Salvador,the capital of the state. There are buses leaving the Salvador Bus Station daily.
Geology
Many cave systems were formed by the rivers that run through the region. Several of these rivers run red due to tannin in the water. Both gold and diamonds have been found there.
Flora and fauna
The flora and fauna are highly varied. Although there are few large mammals, there is a wide variety of reptiles, amphibians, birds, insects and small mammals. The flora mainly consists of small scrubland bushes, orchids and cactus.
Principal cities and towns in and near the park
- Lençóis
- Palmeiras
- Andaraí
- Mucugé
- Vale Do Capao
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Chapada Diamantina |
- Chapada Diamantina - Visitors Advice informative advice and tips for visitors.
- Look what's going on Chapada Diamantina, daily
- Informative page about the Chapada Diamantina National Park on the Tourism office of the Brazilian Embassy in Washington website
- (English) A recent photo tour of Lençóis and parts of Chapada Diamantina
- (English) Photos of Chapada Diamantina by Alex Uchoa
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