Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, National park in Maranhão, Brazil
White sand dunes extend across 155,000 hectares (383,014 acres), forming a constantly shifting terrain interspersed with freshwater lagoons that appear between January and July, creating a labyrinthine pattern of sand and water.
After designation in 1981 to preserve dune ecosystems, the area received additional protection through Ramsar status in 2002 for its wetlands, followed by UNESCO World Heritage nomination in 2018.
Residents gather buriti palm fruits and catch fish in the lagoons using methods passed down through generations, maintaining the connection between human communities and this dynamic coastal landscape.
Visitors reach the area from Barreirinhas, Santo Amaro do Maranhão, or Atins, with tours between June and September offering the best conditions when lagoons are filled and temperatures are more moderate.
An impermeable rock layer beneath the dunes prevents drainage, creating seasonal lagoons that reach depths of 10 feet (3 meters) and lengths of 328 feet (100 meters).
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