Cuiabá, Capital in Mato Grosso, Brazil
Cuiabá is the capital of Mato Grosso state in western Brazil, situated near the geographic center of South America. The city connects neighborhoods with broad avenues, residential areas, and commercial streets that stretch across a gently rolling landscape where three major biomes—Amazon forest, Cerrado, and Pantanal—converge.
The settlement was founded in 1719 when gold deposits were discovered along a river, attracting prospectors who established a camp. Nearly a century later, in 1818, it gained city status and became the capital of the newly created Mato Grosso province within the Brazilian Empire.
Throughout the urban area, visitors can discover a weekly market selling native fruits and regional dishes drawn from the surrounding ecosystems. During the day, locals often gather in public squares or parks, where tree shade provides relief from the intense heat and encourages social interaction.
An international airport on the city outskirts provides regular connections to several Brazilian cities and neighboring South American countries. Buses and taxis run between the airport and the city center, with the journey taking about half an hour depending on traffic conditions.
A natural gas pipeline from Bolivia has supplied the city since 2000, contributing to industrial growth in the region. The heat is also notable: on some days the thermometer climbs above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), making it one of the hottest inhabited places in the country.
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