This region is worldwide known by its great diversity and concentration of flora and fauna. These characteristics give the Pantanal some important titles like the Third Largest Biosfera Reserve of the World and Natural Patrimony of Humankind (UNESCO).
The Pantanal is considered the cradle of a great variety of animal species, from birds to reptiles, and is a unique place in the world, with plentiful aquatic resources and vegetation. Wild life in its most primitive form and men with their cattle farms share the same space. Along with the Amazon, Pantanal is considered an example of the best of Brazil - untouched nature, ready to be seen and appreciated by those willing to treat themselves to this gift.
The Pantanal covers a very large region (it's comparable to the size of Portugal) and a great part of it (138.000 square kilometers) is located in the west part of the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul. It is by definition the largest floodable prairie of the planet, crossed by many rivers, connected to the Paraguai river.
It is a paradise for wildlife watchers and photographers because you may encounter a concentration of the many species living in the Pantanal. As many as 230 species of fishes, 650 species of birds, 80 species of mammals and 50 species of reptiles have already been identified: the biggest concentration of wildlife in the Americas.
In the flooded season (generally from the end of December until March), the rivers overflow, making the region a large flooded plain with shallow waters. The fishes and reptiles seperate to find their own way and the other animals concentrate in the dry areas (capão and cordilheiras). During this time, the means of transportation are horses, tractors and boats.
Here nature has kept incredibly untouched, offering a multiplicity of ecosystems. The center of and the number one destination for ecotourism in Brazil.
Few places in the world have kept nature so pure and generous. "Ecological tourism" has recently unveiled the quietness of Bonito, located near the Pantanal. Bonito is a unique place, where forests of secular trees live together with a diversified fauna and fresh water rivers.
