The amazon, the Pantanal, the Cerrado (scrub) and the magnificent river beaches of the Araguaia Valley make up the 906 thousand Km2 of Mato Grosso territory – or, in the worlds of the Brazilian National Anthem, “Gigantic by nature”. The State is a mix of energy, traditions, tastes and emotions.

It has a natural calling for ecoturism with its immense variety of plants and animals and diverse attractions such as angling, historical heritage sites, archaeological and speleogical sites, extreme sports as well as rural, contemplative and mystic tourism.

Mato Grosso is also rich in gatronomy, craftwork and musical traditions. Some of the more wellknown of these are the dances of Siriri and Cururu, the Viola de Cocho (a small guitar), the exotic touch of the Pantanal which also uses caimam meat prepared according to the traditions of the indigenous villages of de region. As the largest producer of oil seeds, the State has incorporated soy bean into its daily eating habits as well as in sophisticated menus for parties as well as scientific, commercial and other social events.

The gastronomy is rich in sweets made from cashew fruit, banana and “furrundu”. Also very opular are paçoca de pilão (wich ground dried meat), maria-izabel (dried meat with rice) and farofa de banana (manioc flour with dried banana). Not forgetting the typical Brazilian barbecue and an immense variety of fried and roast fish including pacu and matrinchã (South American Trout).

With an ample hotel network and an international size convention centre, Mato Grosso is the fastest growing State in the country. Cuiabá, the state capital for almost 300 years, is full of contrasts and reconciles the modernity of a thriving commercial and financial centre with churches and old houses.

In Mato Grosso, the countryside is one step away from the main urban centres. Poconé, Alta Floresta, Barra do Bugres, Primavera do Leste and Caceres are some of the towns where rural tourism is already well-stablished or is in the process of being implemented.

Horse riding, catlle driving, milking, homemade dairy products, orchards and vegetable gardens, ecological walks, bird and plant spotting all make up the large variety of options available to children and adults that wish to experience authentic country life.

On the fams and in the rural houses of Mato Grosso, the day starts with the call on the cockerel annoucing the arrival of a new season of emotions and unforgettable moments.