On this blue planet that we call home, countless natural wonders never cease to amaze us. From oceans to lands, from deserts to islands, every landscape has unique characteristics that make it stand out.
Deserts are usually barren expanses of yellow sand, devoid of any vegetation. But in a remote corner of Brazil, there exists a magical desert that shatters this stereotype. Known as Lacois Maranhenses, this desert is located in the state of Maraño, and it is a truly wondrous sight to behold.
All around you, you will see fine white sands, complemented by the breathtaking sight of numerous small lakes that dot the landscape. What makes this desert so unique is its peculiar scene of "sand lake embraced," which will make you feel as though you are on a beach vacation, rather than in the middle of a desert.
In 1981, the Brazilian government established a national park in this area, covering an area of about 1,500 square kilometers.
Lacois Maranhenses is composed of numerous white dunes and deep blue lagoons, making for a truly one-of-a-kind landscape. The dunes stretch over 50 kilometers inland from the coast, creating a majestic, white expanse.
However, the most remarkable feature of this desert is the presence of thousands of small lakes that are filled with water, fish, and shrimp. These lakes are formed due to the unique geographical location and climatic conditions of the desert.
The water of these lakes is black with yellow spots, and there are many white dunes of different shapes and sizes that are present in the lakes.
This spectacular sight can only be witnessed during the rainy season, which lasts from May to October each year. Due to offshore conditions, up to 1,600 millimeters of rain can fall here each year, which is then trapped in the white dunes that form the lagoons.
Apart from the heavy rain, another reason the sand holds water is that it is incredibly thin, only about 30 centimeters thick, with impermeable rocks and dirt beneath it.
These rock formations are evaporated when it rains, and when the water reaches saturation, the pores in the rock begin to expand, and the pressure between the air and the water also increases, causing a large amount of water vapor to condense into small water droplets.
This process results in the formation of thousands of small lagoons that are filled with water, creating a surreal and breathtaking sight.
In addition to dunes and lakes, this desert is also home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Here, you can find many rare and endangered species of wildlife, including jaguars, giant lizards, foxes, and various birds, some of which can only be found in this region.
The flora here is equally diverse and unique. Due to the climatic conditions, most of the plants that grow here are adapted to arid conditions, such as cacti, prickly pears, and camellias.
These plants come in different shapes and sizes, some resembling sea urchins, while others look like lizards, adding to the wonder and beauty of this desert.
Lacois Maranhenses is truly a gift from nature to humankind. When you visit this desert, you can engage in a variety of water sports as if you are on vacation at the beach. You can also drive a beach jeep around the dunes and lakes during sunset, taking in the beauty that is unique to this desert and cannot be experienced elsewhere.
The Lacois Maranhenses Desert is a truly special place, with its unique natural landscapes, flora and fauna species, and cultural heritage, all of which make it well worth exploring and experiencing. If you are someone who loves nature and adventure, then you simply cannot afford to miss out on this magical desert.
