Maranhao (Estado)

"El Estado de Marañón (en portugués: Maranhão) es una de las 27 unidades federales de Brasil. Está localizado al oeste de la Región Nordeste de Brasil. Tiene como límites: el océano Atlántico al norte, el Estado de Piauí al este, el Estado de Tocantins al sur y sureste y el Estado de Pará al oeste. Ocupa una superficie de 331.937,5 km² y su población es de 6.904.241 hab. La capital es São Luís. Otras ciudades importantes son: Imperatriz, Timon, Caxias, Açailândia, Codó, Santa Inês, Bacabal y Balsas. En su territorio se encuentra el Centro de Lanzamiento de Alcántara."

"Maranhão (Portuguese pronunciation: [mw]) is a northeastern state of Brazil. To the north lies the Atlantic Ocean. Maranhão is neighboured by the (clockwise from east) states of Piauí, Tocantins and Pará. The people of Maranhão have a distinctive accent inside the common Northeastern Brazilian dialect. Maranhão is described in books such as The Land of the Palm Trees by Gonçalves Dias and Casa de Pensão by Aluísio Azevedo. The dunes of Lençóis are an important area of environmental preservation. Also of interest is the state capital of São Luís, designated a Unesco World Heritage Site. Another important conservation area is the Parnaíba River delta, between the states of Maranhão and Piauí, with its lagoons, desert dunes and deserted beaches or islands, such as the Caju island, which shelters rare birds."