Say the words Matto Grosso and you'll get a variety of responses. (See this interactive (map) from Expedia to orient yourself.)

Scientists, archaeologists and ecologists will nod, no doubt thinking of Brazil's land of "Big Wood", and the opportunities to study natural sciences, the environment and ancient dwellers and traditions.

Fans of the mysterious nod, too, thinking of the many explorations to find fabled lost cities, failed explorations, missing adventurers and tales of mysterious events and people.


Scroll down through the Alien Encyclopedia for a description of "Atlans" and "Telosians" said to inhabit the area.

Ethnographers shake their heads in dismay at the plight of the hundreds of native tribes whose lives and culture are endangered by the coming of "civilization." Ecotourers grow enthusiastic over the hundreds and hundreds of species of birds, animals and plants. Adventure travelers rave about the opportunities. The earliest travelers probably weren't as enthusiastic about making their way through this vast area of central Brazil as was Theodore Roosevelt who toured South America with his son Kermit and a number of natural scientists in 1914. His account of his hunting, camping and “zoogeographical reconnoissance” journey is in Through the Brazilian Wilderness.

Eleven years later, in search of ancient Atlantean cities, British explorer Colonel Percy Fawcett led an expedition, including his son and a friend, deep into the Matto Grosso. Fawcett was experienced, having made several mapping expeditions to Bolivia and the Amazon.

His studies convinced him that there was a "lost city" hidden in the Matto Grosso.

South America: In Search of Manoa tells the story of his search, the expedition and his mysterious disappearance along with his son and friend, in May, 1925. Search parties over the years have come across hints and tantalizing clues but not Fawcett or his companions. One of the searches included Peter Fleming, the literary editor for the London Times. The expedition did not find Fawcett, and Fleming later wrote a book, Brazilian Adventure, 1933, Scribner's, HB, which debunked some of the mystique surrounding the Matto Grosso.

There are two states in the Matto Grosso: Matto Grosso and Matto Grosso do Sul. The larger, Matto Grosso, with 532,370 sq. mi., is second in size to Amazonas. It is still sparsely populated and large areas are still unexplored. It is the only state in Brazil (map) with three separate ecological environments:

• The Pantanal - an area of swampy, low-lying plains subject to periodic flooding. The climate is hot and muggy and very humid. The higher elevations are drier and considered healthier.
• Chapada dos Guimarães - In the western part of the state, this tableland area marks the transition between the cerrado or the plateau area and the Amazon rainforest. On the northern edge, the rivers flow north to empty into Amazon. On the south, they Paranâ and Paraguay. The area has interesting geological formations and abundant wildlife.
• Amazon rain forest - ever popular with photographers, as in these Amazonia Views.

Tourism is increasingly common in the Matto Grosso as visitors come to see the tremendously varied wildlife. Birding and fishing are particularly popular. Prior to tourism, gold mining, now practically exhausted, some tobacco, and cattle were the principal industries. Cattle ranches are still important, and worked by]Vaqueiros. Now, the interest in holistic remedies and herbal treatments creates a demand for herbs like Ipecacuanha also called Ipecac. You might consult Rainforest Home Remedies (direct buy) for additional topics of interest.

Most visitors come to the Matto Grosso through the capital, Cuiabá, connected to Corumbá by river boat up from Río de la Plata. There are various ways to get there.

If you have been to the Matto Grosso, tell us about it! Post your comments in the South America Travel Forum.

Boa viagem!