Goiás

Goiás is a large state located in the Central-West region of Brazil.

It sits as a vital part of the country's geoeconomic Centro-Sul division. The state borders several other Brazilian states, including Tocantins, Bahia, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Mato Grosso. It also shares a border with the Federal District. With a population of approximately 7.05 million people, it is the most populous state in the Central-West. It also ranks as the 11th most populous state in all of Brazil. The state capital is Goiânia, a major industrial and cultural center.

The physical landscape of Goiás is defined by a massive plateau. This vast, almost level surface sits between 750 and 900 meters above sea level. This high elevation serves as a major drainage divide for three large river systems. To the south, the Paranaíba River drains the land. This river is a tributary of the larger Paraná River. To the east, water flows toward the São Francisco River through various tributaries. To the north, the Araguaia and Tocantins rivers flow through the state.

Other notable rivers include the Meia Ponte, Corumbá, and Paranã. Most of these rivers are only navigable by small craft for short distances.

The climate in the state is tropical, characterized by distinct seasonal shifts. The year is divided into a rainy season from October to March. This is followed by a dry season from April to September. During these dry months, the Araguaia River level drops significantly. This drop exposes sandy beaches along the riverbanks.

Much of the terrain is covered by a woodland savanna known as campo cerrado. However, tropical forests still exist along the river valleys. The state also features unique geological formations. The Chapada dos Veadeiros area contains canyons, valleys, and rapids.

In the municipality of Mineiros, the Emas National Park preserves the local flora and fauna.

The history of Goiás began in the early 18th century. Pioneers from São Paulo led the first European explorations of the interior. In 1682, Bartolomeu Bueno da Silva discovered gold in a tributary of the Araguaia River. This discovery led to the founding of the settlement Santa Anna. This town later became the colonial town of Goiás Velho. In 1744, the area became a Captaincy General. It later became a province of the Brazilian Empire in 1822. Finally, it achieved statehood in 1889.

Significant changes occurred during the 20th century due to urban planning. In 1933, the new capital of Goiânia was planned to replace the old capital. The state government moved to Goiânia in 1937, with an official inauguration in 1942.

The construction of Brasília in the 1950s spurred even more growth. Brasília became the national capital in 1960. Because the state was so large, communication was once very difficult. This led to a movement for separation in the north. In 1988, the northern half of the state became the new state of Tocantins.

Today, Goiás has a very strong and diverse economy. It is responsible for 2.7% of Brazil's total GDP. The service sector is the largest part of the economy at 43.9%. The industrial sector follows at 35.4%. Agriculture is also a major force, representing 20.7% of the GDP.

The state is a national leader in many types of crop raising. For example, it produces 44% of Brazil's sorghum. It is also the second largest producer of sugarcane in the country. In 2019, it produced over 1.2 million tons of tomatoes. This accounted for one-third of the entire nation's production.

Animal husbandry and mineral wealth further strengthen the state. In 2016, Goiás held the third largest cattle herd in Brazil, with 22.6 million head. The state is also a major producer of eggs and milk. Beyond farming, the ground holds valuable minerals. Goiás is the top producer of nickel in Brazil. It also produces large amounts of copper, gold, and niobium.

The state is also famous for gemstones. The town of Campos Verdes is known as the "Capital of the Emeralds." Other minerals like tourmaline and sapphire are also found here. This mix of agriculture, industry, and mining makes Goiás a central part of Brazil's economy.