Introducing the Pantanal

One of the great natural wonders of the world

Right in the middle of South America, lies a huge natural freshwater system known as the Pantanal - the Portuguese word for 'wetlands'. It is arguably the largest wetland in the world, and of its total 180,000 km2 (which is over four times the size of the Netherlands), 140,000 is located in Brazil, 30,000 in Bolivia and 5,000 in Paraguay.

Among the most productive environments wetlands in general are among the earth's most productive environments as they support high concentrations and many species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, as well as invertebrates and plants. But nothing beats what you find at the Pantanal!

For it is home to so many species that nobody has yet succeeded in counting them. Tentative numbers suggest at least 650 different birds, 190 mammals, and 270 fish. Reptiles and insects are also believed to be abundant in the region.

And the Pantanal provides other benefits of major importance. These include significant groundwater recharge and water purification, stabilisation of climate, water storage, and flood protection. It has the potential to bring impressive economic benefits in terms of sustainable water supply, fisheries, transport, tourism, and so forth.

A Biosphere Reserve, a wetland of international importance
In 1993, the Brazilian Pantanal was inscribed on the Ramsar list of wetlands of international importance. The Bolivian side followed in 2001. In 2000, UNESCO also declared the Brazilian side a Biosphere Reserve.