Serra do Cabral, Mountain range in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Serra do Cabral is a mountain range in northern Minas Gerais that stretches approximately 40 kilometers and forms the water divide between the Das Velhas and Jequitai rivers. The state protected area spans nearly 22,500 hectares across six municipalities and rises from about 900 to 1,300 meters in elevation.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the mountain range was a major supplier of saltpeter for gunpowder production in Rio de Janeiro. This use reveals the importance it held for Brazil's economic development during that period.
The mountain range bears traces of ancient human settlement visible in cave paintings depicting animals on rock walls. These artistic marks tell of people who lived here long ago and recorded their hunting and daily life.
Access to the mountain range is best gained through the six surrounding municipalities, with Buenópolis and Joaquim Felício serving as good starting points for visits. The rugged terrain requires sturdy footwear and preparation, especially when aiming to reach higher elevations.
The region is home to several plant species found nowhere else, including the sempre-vivas, specialized cerrado plants adapted to high elevation. These delicate, colorful plants grow naturally in this environment and are a rare sight for visitors.
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