BrazilTour

Tocantins

It used to be part of the North of Goiás State; that region has always been different from the other goiana locations. The first manifestations of autonomy arose in 1809. From the 1970´s the movement got stronger and the projet to create the State of Tocantins was finally determined by the Constitution of 1988.

The State of Tocantins is in a transition zone between the Amazonic Forest and the Savannah, mixing fauna and flora from both of the rich ecosystems. Cut from North to South by two long rivers, Tocantins and Araguaia, there is a sucession of fluvial beaches and a great natural opulence, with lands that are good for agriculture and for cattle raising.

Palmas, the capital, was built with subtle traces of modernity, in the end of the 1980´s. With sophisticated architecture, the city contrasts with the other buildings in the State, in their majority founded still in the colonial period and with characteristics remanent of the architecture and culture of the 18th century.

Between the months of June and September, when the river waters are lower, the State of Tocantins offers to visitors beautiful sweetwater beaches with white sand.  A large variety of leisure options, with camping sites at the river margins, and sports such as fishing and canoeing also have guaranteed places at the State´s itineraries.

The state also has 20 archeologic sites, which are being explored by numberless researchers from many parts of the Country. Another great attraction there is Jalapão, where ecotourism and rafting and canyoning practices are well disseminated, representing the highlight of the local tours.

The extensive cattle raising, the subsistence agriculture and the development of a merchant agriculture - the main product is pineapple - supplies other Brazilian States and represents an important export commodity for the Mercosul countries – ensures the economic growth of Tocantins State.

Due to the large number of indians living in wide bands of its territory, the State of Tocantins has developed an unique project for indigenous education. The program includes training indian teachers on their mother tongue and in Portuguese, and is being developed in four indigenous schools. Besides, it promotes learning and respect to the habits and traditions of the six settlements in the State. The Indigenous Education program was readily recognized by Unesco as a model to be followed by the countries with an indigenous population.

The natural beauty is the storng point in the State of Tocantins. Adventure yourself! Come, and become a fan!

Services
Tourism Office of Tocantins State
http://www.to.gov.br/sictur/