Maranhão, half-way to the Northern Region, is an important
State: one of the most important ports for the mineral exports from
the iron plants from the south [See also: States
of Brazil]. Fishing, also, is an important economic activity.
Capital:
São Luís (
957.899 inhab / IBGE: 2007)
Area:
331.918 km2
Population:
6.117.996 inhab. (IBGE: 2007)
States neighbouring Maranhão
To the North: Atlantic Ocean
To the West: Pará
To the South: Tocantins and Piauí
To the East: Piauí
The Relief
Most of the State's surface is composed by plains under 300 m high.
Plenty of rias on the western coast, the Gulf of Maranhão,
the Lençóis Maranhenses and the Parnaíba Delta are the
most important geographycal features of its relief.
The ecosystems
Maranhão's main ecosystems are equatorial forests (west) and
palm trees vegetation (babaçu and carnaúba) on
the valleys. Cerrado (savannah) vegetation is found
on the southern uplands.
Practical Information
Telephone Area Code (DDD): 98
Zip Code (CEP):
> More Information: Practical Information