Brazilian Highlands
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Brazilian Highlands | |
---|---|
Location | Caatinga and Cerrado, Brazil |
Area | |
• Total | 5,000,000 km2 (1,900,000 sq mi) |
Dimensions | |
• Length | 3,500 km (2,200 mi), SW x NE |
Highest elevation | 2,891 m (9,485 ft) |
The Brazilian Highlands or Brazilian Plateau (Portuguese: Planalto Brasileiro) is an extensive geographical region covering most of the eastern, southern and central portions of Brazil, in all some 4,500,000 km2 (1,930,511 sq mi) or approximately half of the country's land area.[1][2] The vast majority of Brazil's population (203.062.512; 2022 census) lives in the highlands or on the narrow coastal region immediately adjacent to it.
Ancient
The Brazilian Highlands are recognized for its great diversity: within the region there are several different
, and thousands of animal and plant species.Major divisions
Due to its size and diversity, the Brazilian Highlands is usually divided into three main areas:
- Atlantic Plateau extending all along the eastern coast of Brazil, and including several mountain ranges. It was once almost completely covered by the Atlantic Rainforest, one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the world, of which only 7.3% remains.
- araucaria highland forest and cerradograsslands take up much of the rest of the space.
- Central Plateau occupying the central portions of Brazil, with sedimentary and crystalline formations. Approximately 85% were once covered by cerrado vegetation, of which only a small portion remains intact.
In addition to the plateau regions, several adjoining or enclosed mountain ranges are considered to be part of the Brazilian Highlands. Some of the most important are (from north to south):
- Serra da Borborema
- Chapada Diamantina
- Serra do Espinhaço
- Serra do Caparaó
- Serra da Mantiqueira
- Serra do Mar
- Serra Geral
The highest point of the Brazilian Highlands is the Pico da Bandeira in the Serra do Caparaó, 2,891 meters (9,485 ft).
See also
References
- ^ "Brazilian Highlands". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 2022-09-05.
- ISBN 978-1-4381-0490-4.