Chapada Diamantina National Park

Description

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-19th century.

The park was created in the 1980s in response to growing ecotourism.

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. In this place is located the highest point of state in Pico do Barbado with 2,036 meters. The park is typified by hills, mountains, valleys and monoliths, with few plains.

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.

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.

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.

Coordinates: 12°52′49″S 41°22′20″W / 12.8804°S 41.3723°W / -12.8804; -41.3723