Campo Grande is the capital of Mato Grasso do Sul in the middle-western region of the country. The city is characterized with specific culture, created by living there currently representatives of a few ethnic groups. There are among them descendants of indigenous Indian people, Afro-Brazilians and immigrants from Asia and Europe. The biggest treasure of that region is wonderful, wild nature.
In 1877 year two farmers founded a settlement, that after barely 22 years, in 1899, was granted a city’s charter. At the beginning of the 20th century, the settlement was serving as an orientation point for travellers coming from São Paulo in the direction of northern part of Mato Grosso. In the 20th century the town gained on importance, becoming the premises of the Brazilian army. Today, locals find jobs mainly in services, trade and agritourism. On the areas around Campo Grande rice, soya and manioc are growing and cattle is breed.
What is worth seeing there? Surely Parque das Nações Indígenas, where both fans of lazy leisure and lovers of sports will feel good. In park there are routes for pedestrians, football pitch, athletics treadmill, monuments, as well as restaurants and cafes. If you want to get to know the history of Campo Grande, make sure to visit José Antônio Pereira Museu, a house, where founders of a settlement used to live. For lovers of nature we recommend an absolutely unique, in the environmental terms, sloughy tropical terrain in the virgin region of Pantanal. You will be greeted there by colourful parrots, toucans, hummingbird, monkeys, jaguars or capybaras. You can try snorkeling in Rio de Prata, see marvellously blue lake in a cave Gruta do Lago Azul or got for a trip to a charming park full of waterfalls – and these are just a few of many available attractions of Patanal!
Local cuisine is based on chicken, sweet water fishes and vegetables. Make sure to try frango com gabiroba, which is chicken with local fruit. Popular is fish stew from catfish or piranha. These fishes are sometimes fried on deep fat and prepared with manioc. Where to eat? We recommend restaurants Casa do Peixe and Gaucho Gastão.
