Eco-tourism in the highland steppes of Paraná,
South Brazil
Ideal location to study and research the fabulous
fauna and flora of the Paraná highland steppes.
Interesting rock formations, stone paths formed by
ancient glaciers, fossils of sea shells deposited at
1000m (3,000ft) above sea level, and an old cobblestone street could be a challenge to archeologists and anthropologists alike.
Native fowl, such as the Saracura (water hen),
the white stork, wild ducks, the Quero-Quero bird,
and many others land at the pond to rest up and perhaps catch a fish. Watch the eagles and hawks, parrots and parakeets, and many other interesting birds which nest here.
The area is near many tourist attractions and is already setup for tourism: B&B´s, pousadas, specialty restaurants, traditional Mennonite baking and cooking, animal petting farms, ethnic cultural shows, crafts markets, Christmas Bazaar, organic farmers markets, and much more.
CURITIBA, considered the ecological capital of Brazil, is one hour drive away.
The small, privately owned village of São Luis do Purunã, only 10 miles away, is famous for its Annual Cattle Stampede and Horse Racing Shows. Nearby secluded health spas invite the stressed and health seeking.
fauna and flora of the Paraná highland steppes.
Interesting rock formations, stone paths formed by
ancient glaciers, fossils of sea shells deposited at
1000m (3,000ft) above sea level, and an old cobblestone street could be a challenge to archeologists and anthropologists alike.
Native fowl, such as the Saracura (water hen),
the white stork, wild ducks, the Quero-Quero bird,
and many others land at the pond to rest up and perhaps catch a fish. Watch the eagles and hawks, parrots and parakeets, and many other interesting birds which nest here.
The area is near many tourist attractions and is already setup for tourism: B&B´s, pousadas, specialty restaurants, traditional Mennonite baking and cooking, animal petting farms, ethnic cultural shows, crafts markets, Christmas Bazaar, organic farmers markets, and much more.
CURITIBA, considered the ecological capital of Brazil, is one hour drive away.
The small, privately owned village of São Luis do Purunã, only 10 miles away, is famous for its Annual Cattle Stampede and Horse Racing Shows. Nearby secluded health spas invite the stressed and health seeking.
Native forests and grasslands form an interesting mosaic with the farming fields and orchards.
Dairy farming was the predominant industry of the Mennonites in the beginning of this colony. Now many have turned to the hospitality industry, with B&B's, guesthouses, and the accompanying industries such as restaurants, bakeries, and petting farms, and local specialty tours flourishing.
Cooperativa da Colonia Witmarsum
A dairy factory, grain storage and processing plant, grocery mart, pharmacy, post office, bank, museum, school, and churches, form the business and cultural centre of the COLONIA WITMARSUM.
A mobile oil press allows the farmers to have a supply of fresh pressed oils of their own crops, such as soy beans, sunflower seeds, and others. In addition many small businesses supply various services and materials such as construction materials and farming tools, in short, the colony is self-sustainable.
A mobile oil press allows the farmers to have a supply of fresh pressed oils of their own crops, such as soy beans, sunflower seeds, and others. In addition many small businesses supply various services and materials such as construction materials and farming tools, in short, the colony is self-sustainable.
The Pinheiro, Araucaria angustifolia
The Araucaria angustifolia is native to Paraná, and is unique to the Brazilian south Atlantic coast, all the way down to Argentina.
The pinheiros' interesting shape gives these southern landscapes a very special characteristic.
In times past this tree was so abundant in the region, that the indigenous tribes called this place curi-tiba meaning in the native language 'many pinetrees'.
When young, this tree has the shape and appearance of a fir tree, and the European immigrants use it as their Christmas tree.
The report tells about a rare 500 year old pinheiro, 3 meters of diameter and up to 70 meters high. some report seeing 8m thick trees.
Wonderfull specimens of old growth trees can be found in city parks of Cascavel and Guarapuava.
Conservation status: critically endangered.
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A forma original do pinheiro dá as paisagens do Sul uma característica toda especial. No passado antes da lavoura do café e dos cereais cobrissem as terras paranaenses e antes que os trigais cobrissem os campos gaúchos, sua presença era tão comum que os indígenas chamaram de 'curi tiba' (que quer dizer ''imensidão de pinheiros') toda uma extensa região onde esta árvore predominava.
A gralha-azul é o principal animal disseminador da araucária uma vez que, durante outono, quando as araucárias frutificam, bandos de gralhas estocam os pinhões para deles se alimentar posteriormente. Neste processo, as gralhas azuis encravam fortemente os pinhões no solo ou em troncos caídos no solo, local propício para a formação de uma nova árvore. No folclore do estado do Paraná atribui-se a formação e manutenção das florestas de araucária a Gralha Azul
The pinheiros' interesting shape gives these southern landscapes a very special characteristic.
In times past this tree was so abundant in the region, that the indigenous tribes called this place curi-tiba meaning in the native language 'many pinetrees'.
When young, this tree has the shape and appearance of a fir tree, and the European immigrants use it as their Christmas tree.
The report tells about a rare 500 year old pinheiro, 3 meters of diameter and up to 70 meters high. some report seeing 8m thick trees.
Wonderfull specimens of old growth trees can be found in city parks of Cascavel and Guarapuava.
Conservation status: critically endangered.
................................................................................................................................................................
A forma original do pinheiro dá as paisagens do Sul uma característica toda especial. No passado antes da lavoura do café e dos cereais cobrissem as terras paranaenses e antes que os trigais cobrissem os campos gaúchos, sua presença era tão comum que os indígenas chamaram de 'curi tiba' (que quer dizer ''imensidão de pinheiros') toda uma extensa região onde esta árvore predominava.
A gralha-azul é o principal animal disseminador da araucária uma vez que, durante outono, quando as araucárias frutificam, bandos de gralhas estocam os pinhões para deles se alimentar posteriormente. Neste processo, as gralhas azuis encravam fortemente os pinhões no solo ou em troncos caídos no solo, local propício para a formação de uma nova árvore. No folclore do estado do Paraná atribui-se a formação e manutenção das florestas de araucária a Gralha Azul
Please click on the images below to enlarge and see the captions.