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- With a coastline
dotted with beaches and a valued historical heritage, Maranhγo is
a state where the marks of the colonial and imperial past are very
strong. With its narrow streets and tile-clad mansions, Sγo
Luνs, the capital of Maranhγo, and the latest town to be listed
as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, comprises an architectural complex
of around 3 thousand buildings from the 17th and 19th centuries, which
tell part of the history of the French invasion of the territory.
In 1612 France did in fact establish a colony there called Equinoctial
France which was conquered by the Portuguese three years later, invaded
by the Dutch in 1641 and again taken over by Portugal three years
later.
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- The history
of the European assault on the lands until then inhabited by Tupinamba
Indians can be gleaned from a walk around the capital and other smaller
towns in the state, such as Alcβntara, listed by the National Heritage
Department. However, apart from these architectural attractions, Maranhγo
also holds many surprises in the beauty of its nature. Among these
are for example the Lenησis Maranhenses National Park, the Delta of
the Parnaνba River, the region of Carolina and the coral reefs of
Parcel of Manoel Luνs, which form the biggest bank in South America
and are a fabulous location for diving.
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- Known as the
land of palm trees, Maranhγo's principal income producing assets consist
in the various species of the tree. One of the most important from
an economic point of view is the babaηu. Livestock farming, aluminium
and aluminium oxide processing, and the food and timber industries
are other important activities.
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- In contrast
with other states in the North East region of Brazil, Maranhγo does
not suffer from drought. There is an extensive network of rivers in
the state which do not dry up, and there is a regular rainy season.
The most important rivers are the Parnaνba, the Gurupi, the Grajaϊ
and the Tocantins, the latter of forming the southern boundary with
the state of Tocantins.
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