 |
| The Wonders of Lencois Maranhenses, a Desert Rich in Water |
Desert areas are synonymous with drought, where water is very scarce. However, this does not apply to Lencois Maranhenses, a desert located in northeastern Brazil that is rich in water. Lencois Maranhenses is truly an extraordinary natural wonder. A desert that looks arid but is decorated with countless clear water lagoons. Its location in the coastal area directly borders the Atlantic Ocean.
Location and Access to Lencois Maranhenses
Lencois Maranhenses is located in the state of Maranhão, Brazil, and directly borders the Atlantic Ocean. This national park covers an area of 155,000 hectares, stretching 70 km along the coastline and 50 km inland. To reach this place, tourists usually start their journey from the city of Barreirinhas, which can be reached by flight from São LuÃs, the capital of the state of Maranhão. From Barreirinhas, visitors can continue their journey by 4x4 vehicle or motorboat along the Preguiças River.
 |
| Lencois Maranhenses is located in the Maranhao region, Brazil |
The Uniqueness of Lencois Maranhenses National Park
Inaugurated as a national park on June 2, 1981, Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses or Lencois Maranhenses National Park offers a spectacular landscape of fine, undulating sand dunes, which naturally form barriers and depressions where thousands of freshwater lagoons are formed. The vast white sand creates the illusion of a desert, but this environment is not categorized as a true desert due to the high rainfall.
The Rainy Season Phenomenon and The Formation of Lagoons
Although Lencois Maranhenses looks like a barren expanse of desert, in reality it is not. In this area, rain falls regularly every year. The main wonder of Lencois Maranhenses occurs when the rainy season arrives, usually between January and June. Rainfall in this area reaches an average of 1,200 mm per year. The rain that falls will be collected in the depressions between the dunes, forming natural lagoons that are filled with water from July to September. About 70% of the rainfall in the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park area occurs from January to May. Interestingly, this rainwater does not seep into the sand because under the sand layer there is a waterproof rock that functions to hold water on the surface.
 |
| There are thousands of lagoons in Lencois Maranhenses National Park |
The thousands of lagoons in Lençóis Maranhenses are on average around 100 m long, with a depth of up to 3 m. These clear water lagoons cover around 41% of the national park area, while the rest is dominated by white sand dunes that stretch seemingly endlessly. The average annual temperature in this area ranges from 26° - 28° C, although it can sometimes drop drastically to 1.1° C at certain times. The water temperature in the lagoon itself is quite warm, reaching 27.5 - 32° C. Two rivers, namely the Preguicas and Maranhao rivers, flow meanderingly across the Lencois Maranhenses area, providing life to the surrounding vegetation. The clear, bluish-green color of the lagoon water combined with the white sand creates a stunning and very photogenic panorama.
Ecosystem and Life in The Middle of The Desert
In summer, the lagoons in the Lencois Maranhenses National Park will disappear, to then be filled with water again in the rainy season. The lagoons in the Lencois Maranhenses area are also a temporary habitat for several species of fish that come from several rivers that flow in this area. These lagoons are sometimes connected to each other or by river flows that allow fish from the river to enter the lagoon. One species of fish known as the wolf fish is a permanent resident of the lagoon in Lencois Maranhenses. These fish will hide in the mud during the dry season, and will only come out when the lagoons begin to fill with rainwater. In addition to fish, these lagoons are also home to aquatic animals such as amphibians and crustaceans.
Origin and Geological Process of Formation of Lencois Maranhenses
Lencois Maranhenses was formed at the end of the 'Quarter Period', hundreds of thousands of years ago. The white sand found in the Lencois Maranhenses area was brought there by the waters of the Parnaiba and Preguicas rivers. Winds from the Atlantic Ocean then pushed it from the coast as far as 50 km inland. The sand accumulated on land to form vast white sand dunes where the height can reach more than 40 m. When the rainy season arrives, rainwater will fill the depressions between the dunes, creating thousands of lagoons with beautiful clear blue-green water that tempts visitors to swim in its warm water.
 |
| Lencois Maranhenses formed hundreds of thousands of years ago |
Lencois Maranhenses, Natural Wonders of The World
The beauty of Lençóis Maranhenses, combining desert and freshwater lagoons, is a true example of the amazing diversity of Earth's landscapes. This national park not only offers incredible views, but is also a natural laboratory rich in biodiversity and geology. For nature lovers and adventurers, Brazil's Lençóis Maranhenses is a water park that is a must-visit on your travel list. This desert is a natural wonder that is hard to find anywhere else.
0 Comments