Many tourists know that Brazil is one of the largest countries on the planet – in fact it is the fifth largest. Many may not know that the administration of the country is done through five distinct regions, which are divided further into states which contain the cities, towns and villages.
Only one of the five states is considered “land locked” without any coastal access to its various states, and that is the Central West region. While this does not present any difficulties due to the well functioning transportation networks throughout the country, it does give the region a unique appeal. Instead of offering perfect sandy beaches and dazzling nightlife, the Central West region offers a great deal of cultural and geographic diversity.
The area is home to the capital city of Brasilia, which in itself offers a fascinating story. Until 1960 the capital city of Brazil was Salvador, an early coastal city. The government of Brazil believed they needed to construct an organized, modern and monumental city in order to obtain a secure place in the world order, and today Brasilia is one of the most popular destinations for those interested in public art and modernist architecture. The design of the city allows it to function smoothly and quietly and the population is developing a unique culture all its own.
Outside of the capital are areas significantly well known for their geographic content, for example the area known as the Pantanal, which is the world’s largest wetland ecosystem and home to a thriving eco tourism industry. The cities of the area support many of the “treks” into the region, and the Mato Grosso do Sul state’s city of Corumba is actually considered a “gateway” into the Pantanal.
The Pantanal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Central West region contains several others, including the city of Goias – known primarily for its incredible eighteenth century buildings and architecture. There are regular tours of the Historical Area of Goias and all of it is done on foot since the streets are narrow and frequently crowded.
There are only four states in the Central West region, each quite distinct, and the most popular cities in the area include Alto Paraiso de Goias, Caldas Novas, Pirenopolis, Cuiaba and Bonito. A visitor can easily arrange their air transportation and hotel accommodations for the Central West region by booking through HotelsCombined.com where arrangements can be made with a few simple clicks of a mouse