The State of Mato Grosso has 139 municipalities sustained by an economic policy which gives priority to development with enviromental conservation and which is increasingly opening up the posssibilities of achieving its tourism potential.

As the largest producer of soybean (50 thousand tons in 2003/04) and the largest producer of cotton fibre (15 thousand tons from the last harvest) in Brazil, and excellent rankings in the period of industrialisation of its raw materials which, today are exported all over the world.

Located in the heartof South America, Mato Grosso is proud of its cultural identity which is made up of the integration of the traditions of ancient peoples – South American Indians, African and European descendents and migrants from every corner of the immense Brazil.

In the capital, Cuiabá, and in other centuries-old towns such as Cáceres, Poconé and Diamantino, the architectural heritage shows part of the history of Mato Grosso in places museums. Chuches such as Bom Despacho, Rosário and São Benedito in Cuiabá, Santana in Chapada dos Guimarães, the cathedral ruins of Santíssima Trindade in Vila Bela and the Marco de Jauru in Cáceres are all protected monuments declared as National Heritage. And there are many archaeological sites spread around the Pantanal, the Cerrado and in the Amazon forest.

The indigenous populations, of which there are more than 40, that live in Mato Grosso territory hold ancient knowledge transmitted in the from of rites, paintings, ceramics and headresses, music, dances, language and through their gastronomy.

Visual art appers in different forms; the pottery work of the riverside communities, the weaving of the hammock makers and the large canvas paintings showing day-to-day scenes as well as abstracts. Seeds, vines and wood are transformed into unique ornaments in the hands of the local craftworkers. Local writers are becoming renowned for writing prose and verse which reaches out into new areas. Mato Grosso culture is also expressed throungh contemporary means. There are ballets, films, plays, orchestras and bands producing both classical and popular work. There are workshops and schools specialised in drama, music, art and literature which are teaching the children and youths contributing to theis education as citizens and encouraging acceptance of plurality which is a permanent part of Mato Grosso’s identity.