Chapada das Mesas National Park, National park in Maranhão, Brazil.
Chapada das Mesas National Park is a protected area in Maranhão known for its table-shaped plateaus surrounded by steep sandstone walls. The landscape features deep canyons, caves, and cascading waterfalls scattered throughout its Cerrado environment.
The park was created in 2005 to protect remaining Cerrado landscape from destruction caused by charcoal production and farming. This federal effort aimed to save one of the region's most threatened natural environments.
Ancient rock carvings at Morro das Figuras show that people have lived in this region for thousands of years. These drawings on the stone walls tell us about the daily lives and beliefs of those who came before.
You will need local guides and four-wheel drive vehicles to reach the waterfalls safely, as the terrain is rough and remote. Plan your visit during or just after the rainy season when water flows are strongest and trails are safer to navigate.
The park contains more than 400 natural water springs that emerge from the sandstone, creating small oases throughout the landscape. These springs are vital for the wildlife and plants living here, and they reveal how the geology of the plateau works.
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