View source for Maranhão

{{short description|State of Brazil}}
{{About|the state in Brazil}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| name               = Maranhão
| native_name        =
| native_name_lang   = pt<!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "fr" for French. -->
| settlement_type    = [[States of Brazil|State]]
| image_skyline      =
| image_alt          = 9
| image_caption      =
| image_flag         = Bandeira do Maranhão.svg
| flag_alt           =
| image_shield       = Brasão do Maranhão.svg
| shield_alt         =
| nickname           =
| motto              =
| anthem             = [[:pt:Hino do Maranhão|Hino do Maranhão]]
| image_map          = Maranhao in Brazil.svg
| map_alt            =
| map_caption        = Location of State of Maranhão in Brazil
| coordinates        = {{coord|6|11|S|45|37|W|type:adm1st_region:BR-MA|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint      =
| coordinates_footnotes =
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Brazil}}
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 1621
| founder            =
| seat_type          = Capital and largest city
| seat               = [[São Luís, Maranhão|São Luís]]
| government_footnotes =
| leader_title       = [[Governor (Brazil)|Governor]]
| leader_name        = [[Carlos Brandão]] ([[Brazilian Socialist Party|PSB]])
| leader_title1      = Vice Governor
| leader_name1       = Felipe Camarão ([[Workers' Party (Brazil)|PT]])
| leader_title2      = [[Federal Senate (Brazil)|Senators]]
| leader_name2       = [[Ana Paula Lobato]] ([[Democratic Labor Party (Brazil)|PDT]])<br>[[Eliziane Gama]] ([[Social Democratic Party (Brazil, 2011)|PSD]])<br>[[Weverton Rocha]] ([[Democratic Labor Party (Brazil)|PDT]])
| unit_pref          = Metric<!-- or US or UK -->
| area_footnotes     =
| area_total_km2     = 331983.293
| area_rank          = [[List of Brazilian states by area|8th]]
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m        =
| population_footnotes = <ref name="census2022">{{Cite web|url=https://censo2022.ibge.gov.br/panorama/|title=2022 Census Overview|language=pt}}</ref>
| population_total   = 6776699
| population_as_of   = 2022
| population_rank    = [[List of Brazilian states by population|10th]]
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_rank = [[List of Brazilian states by population density|16th]]
| population_demonym = Maranhense
| population_note    =
| demographics_type1 = GDP
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="bge">{{Cite web |title=PIB por Unidade da Federação, 2021|url=https://www.ibge.gov.br/en/statistics/economic/national-accounts/19567-gross-domestic-product-of-municipalities.html|website=ibge.gov.br}}</ref>
| demographics1_title1 = Total
| demographics1_info1 = [[Brazilian real|R$]] 124.981 billion<br />([[US$]] 23.184 billion)
| demographics_type2 = [[Human Development Index|HDI]]
| demographics2_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| demographics2_title1 = Year
| demographics2_info1 = 2021
| demographics2_title2 = Category
| demographics2_info2 = 0.676<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlas do Desenvolvimento Humano no Brasil. Pnud Brasil, Ipea e FJP, 2022. |url=http://www.atlasbrasil.org.br/ranking |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=www.atlasbrasil.org.br}}</ref> – <span style="color:orange">medium</span> ([[List of Brazilian states by Human Development Index|27th]])
| timezone1          = [[Time in Brazil|BRT]]
| utc_offset1        = -3
| timezone1_DST      = [[Time in Brazil|BRST]]
| utc_offset1_DST    = -2
| postal_code_type   = Postal Code
| postal_code        = 65000-000 to 65990-000
| iso_code           = [[ISO 3166-2:BR|BR-MA]]
| website            = [http://www.ma.gov.br/ ma.gov.br]
| footnotes          =
| registration_plate_type = [[Vehicle registration plates of Brazil|License Plate Letter Sequence]]
| registration_plate = HOL to HQE, NHA to NHT, NMP to NNI, NWS to NXQ, OIR to OJQ, OXQ to OXZ, PSA to PTZ, ROA to ROZ, SMM to SNJ
}}
'''Maranhão''' ({{IPA|pt-BR|maɾɐˈɲɐ̃w|-|Pt-br Maranhão.ogg}}) is a [[States of Brazil|state]] in [[Brazil]]. Located in the country's [[Northeast Region, Brazil|Northeast Region]], it has a population of about 7 million and an area of {{convert|332,000|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}. Clockwise from north, it borders on the [[Atlantic Ocean]] for 2,243&nbsp;km and the states of [[Piauí]], [[Tocantins]] and [[Pará]].  The people of Maranhão have a distinctive accent within the common [[Northeastern Brazil]]ian dialect. Maranhão is described in literary works such as ''[[Canção do exílio|Exile Song]]'' by [[Gonçalves Dias]] and ''Casa de Pensão'' by [[Aluísio Azevedo]].
The [[dune]]s of [[Lençóis Maranhenses National Park|Lençóis]] are an important area of environmental preservation. Also of interest is the state capital of [[São Luís, Maranhão|São Luís]], which is a [[UNESCO]] World Heritage Site. Another important conservation area is the [[Parnaíba River]] delta, between the states of Maranhão and Piauí, with its [[lagoon]]s, desert dunes and deserted beaches or islands, such as Caju island, which shelters rare birds.
==Geography==
{{More citations needed section|date=February 2021}}
[[File:Lençóis Maranhenses 2018 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|[[Lençóis Maranhenses National Park]]]]
[[File:Morro_do_chapeu_(2).jpg|thumb|left|Morro do Chapéu Peak]]
The northern portion of the state is a heavily forested plain traversed by numerous rivers, occupied by the eastern extension of the [[tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests|tropical moist forests]] of [[Amazon rainforest|Amazonia]]. The [[Tocantins–Araguaia–Maranhão moist forests]] occupy the northwestern portion of the state, extending from the [[Pindaré River]] west into neighboring Pará state. The north-central and northeastern portion of the state, extending eastward into northern Piauí, is home to the [[Maranhão Babaçu forests]], a tropical moist forest ecoregion dominated by the [[Babaçu]] palm. The Babaçu palm produces [[Babassu oil|oil]] which is extracted commercially and used for a variety of purposes including food and beauty products.<ref>[https://www.ma.gov.br/noticias/quebradeiras-de-coco-babacu-do-maranhao-sao-destaque-na-i-feira-nordestina-da-agricultura-familiar-e-economia-solidaria-no-rn Quebradeiras de coco babaçu do Maranhão são destaque na I Feira Nordestina da Agricultura Familiar e Economia Solidária no RN]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-21 |title=The Brazilian women facing violence and sexual harassment on farms |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/brazil-farm-women-violence-sexual-harassment-babassu-coconut-breakers-a9159001.html |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Puppim de Oliveira |first=José A. |last2=Mukhi |first2=Umesh |last3=Quental |first3=Camilla |last4=de Oliveira Cerqueira Fortes |first4=Paulo Jordão |date=2022 |title=Connecting businesses and biodiversity conservation through community organizing: The case of babassu breaker women in Brazil |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bse.3134 |journal=Business Strategy and the Environment |language=en |volume=31 |issue=5 |pages=2618–2634 |doi=10.1002/bse.3134 |issn=0964-4733|doi-access=free }}</ref>
The southern portion of the state belong to the lower terraces of the great [[Brazilian Highlands]], occupied by the [[Cerrado]] savannas. Several plateau [[escarpment]]s, including the [[Chapada das Mangabeiras]], [[Serra do Tiracambu]], and [[Serra das Alpercatas]], mark the state's northern margin and the outlines of river valleys.
The climate is hot, and the year is divided into a wet and dry season.  Extreme humidity characterizes the wet season. The heat, however, is greatly modified on the coast by the south-east trade winds.
The rivers of the state all flow northward to the Atlantic and a majority have navigable channels. The [[Gurupí River]] forms the northwestern boundary of the state, separating Maranhão from neighboring Pará.  The [[Tocantins River]] forms part the state's southwestern boundary with [[Tocantins]] state. The [[Parnaíba River]] forms the eastern boundary of Maranhão, but it has one large tributary, the Balsas, entirely within the state. Other rivers in the state include the [[Turiassu River|Turiassu]] (or Turiaçu) which runs just east of the Gurupi, emptying into the [[Baía de Turiassu]]; the [[Mearim River|Mearim]], [[Pindaré River|Pindaré]], and [[Grajaú River (Maranhão)|Grajaú]], which empty into the [[Baía de São Marcos]]; and the [[Itapecuru River|Itapecuru]] and [[Munim River|Munim]] which discharge into the [[Baía de São José]]. Like the Amazon, the Mearim has a ''[[pororoca]]'' or [[tidal bore]] in its lower channel, which greatly interferes with navigation.
The western coastline has many small indentations, which are usually masked by islands or shoals. The largest of these are the Baía de Turiassu, facing which is [[São João Island]], and the contiguous bays of São Marcos and São José, between which is the large island of [[São Luís Island|São Luís]]. This indented shoreline is home to the [[Maranhão mangroves]], the tallest mangrove forests in the world. The coastline east of Baía de São José is less indented and characterized by sand dunes, including the stark dune fields of the [[Lençóis Maranhenses National Park]], as well as [[restinga]] forests that form on stabilized dunes.
===Highest point===
Chapada das Mangabeiras 804 m, at 10º 15' 45" S, 46º 00' 15" W.
==History==
{{More citations needed section|date=February 2021}}
[[File:São_Luis_do_Maranhão_em_mapa_de_1629_por_Albernaz_I.PNG|thumb|A 1629 map of São Luís]]
[[Image:Centro histórico São Luís.jpg|thumb|left|Old [[São Luís, Maranhão|São Luís]].]]
The etymology of Maranhão is uncertain; the name probably originates from Portuguese settlers from Maranhão in Avis in the province of Alentejo. The word was first used to refer to the [[Amazon River]], which is today used to refer to the Peruvian part of the river ([[Marañón River|Marañón]]).
The first known European to explore Maranhão was the [[Spain|Spanish]] explorer [[Vicente Yáñez Pinzón]] in 1500{{Citation needed|date=February 2007}}, but it was granted to [[João de Barros]] in 1534 as a [[Captaincy of Maranhão|Portuguese hereditary captaincy]]. The first European settlement, however, was made by a French trading expedition under [[Jacques Riffault]], of [[Dieppe, Seine-Maritime|Dieppe]],<ref name="FAURE2016">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2VSUCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT72 |title=Une Histoire du Brésil |last=Faure |first=Michel |date=25 February 2016 |publisher=edi8 |isbn=978-2-262-06631-4 |page=72 |access-date=29 October 2017}}</ref> in 1594, who lost two of his three vessels in the vicinity of [[São Luís Island]], and left a part of his men on that island when he returned home. Subsequently, Daniel de La Touche, Seigneur de La Rividière was sent to report on the place, and was then commissioned by the French crown to found a colony on the island ([[Equinoctial France]]); this was done in 1612. The French were expelled by the Portuguese in 1615, and the Dutch held the island from 1641 to 1644. In 1621 Ceará, Maranhão and Pará were united and called the "Estado do Maranhao", which was separated from the southern captaincies. Very successful Indian missions were soon begun by the [[Jesuits]], who were temporarily expelled as a result of a civil war in 1684 for their opposition to the enslavement of the Indians. Ceará was subsequently detached, but the [[Maranhão (former state)|State of Maranhão]] remained separate until 1774, when it again became subject to the colonial administration of Brazil.
In the late 18th century, there was a great influx of enslaved peoples into the region, which corresponded to the increased cultivation of [[Brazilian cotton cycle|cotton]]. According to the historian Sven Beckert, the region's cotton exports "doubled between 1770 and 1780, nearly doubled again by 1790, and nearly tripled once more by 1800."<ref>{{cite book |title=Empire of Cotton: A Global History |last=Beckert |first=Sven |publisher=Knopf |year=2014 |location=New York }}</ref>
Maranhão did not join in the Brazilian declaration of independence of 1822, but in the following year the Portuguese were driven out by British sailor and liberator Admiral [[Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald|Lord Cochrane]] and it became part of the [[Empire of Brazil]]. For this achievement Lord Cochrane became 1st [[Marques of Maranhão]] and [[Governor]] of [[Maranhão Province]].
São Luís is the Brazilian state capital which most closely resembles a Portuguese city. By the early 20th century São Luís had about 30,000 inhabitants, and contained several convents, charitable institutes, the episcopal palace, a fine Carmelite church, and an ecclesiastical seminary. The historic city center was declared a [[World Heritage Site]] in 1997.
== Demographics ==
{{See also|Largest cities of northeastern Brazil}}
According to the [[Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics|IBGE]], there were 6,776,699 people residing in the state in 2022. The population density was 20.6 inhabitants/km<sup>2</sup>.
[[Urbanization]]: 68.1% (2004); [[Population growth]]: 1.5% (1991–2000); [[House]]s: 1,442,500 (2005).<ref>Source: PNAD.</ref>
The last PNAD (National Research for Sample of Domiciles) census revealed the following numbers: 4,499,018 [[Brown people#Pardos in Brazil|Brown]] ([[Multiracial#Brazil|Multiracial]]) people (66.4%), 1,361,865 [[White Brazilian|White]] people (20.1%), 854,424 [[Afro-Brazilian|Black]] people (12.6%), 54,682 [[Indigenous peoples in Brazil|Amerindian]] people (0.8%), 6,541 [[Asian Brazilian|Asian]] people (0.1%).<ref>{{cite web |title=Censo 2022 - Panorama |url=https://censo2022.ibge.gov.br/panorama/}}</ref>
According to a DNA study from 2005, the average ancestral composition of [[São Luís, Maranhão|São Luís]], the biggest city in Maranhão, is 42% European, 39% native American and 19% African.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ferreira |first1=Francileide Lisboa |last2=Leal-Mesquita |first2=Emygdia Rosa |last3=Santos |first3=Sidney Emanuel Batista dos |last4=Ribeiro-dos-Santos |first4=Ândrea Kely Campos |title=Genetic characterization of the population of São Luís, MA, Brazil |journal=Genetics and Molecular Biology |date=March 2005 |volume=28 |issue=1 |pages=22–31 |doi=10.1590/S1415-47572005000100004 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
=== Largest cities ===
{{Largest cities
| stat_ref    = (2011 census by the [[Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics]])<ref name="IBGE_Pop_2011">{{cite web|url=http://www.ibge.gov.br/home/estatistica/populacao/estimativa2011/POP2011_DOU.pdf|title=Estimativas da população residente nos municípios brasileiros com data de referência em 1º de julho de 2011|trans-title=Estimates of the Resident Population of Brazilian Municipalities as of July 1, 2011|date=30 August 2011|publisher=[[Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics]]|access-date=31 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007090238/http://www.ibge.gov.br/home/estatistica/populacao/estimativa2011/POP2011_DOU.pdf|archive-date=7 October 2011|url-status=live|language=pt}}</ref>
| list_by_pop =
| div_name    =
| div_link    = Microregions of Brazil{{!}}Microregion
| city_1 = São Luís (Maranhão){{!}}São Luís
| div_1  = Microrregião da Aglomeração Urbana de São Luís{{!}}São Luís
| pop_1  = 1,027,429
| img_1  = Ponta do Farol Noturna.jpg
| city_2 = Imperatriz
| div_2  = Microrregião de Imperatriz{{!}}Imperatriz
| pop_2  = 248,805
| img_2  = Foto aerea de Imperatriz.jpg
| city_3 = Timon, Maranhão{{!}}Timon
| div_3  = Microrregião de Caxias{{!}}Caxias
| pop_3  = 156,327
| img_3  =
| city_4 = Caxias, Maranhão{{!}}Caxias
| div_4  = Microrregião de Caxias{{!}}Caxias
| pop_4  = 156,327
| img_4  =
| city_5 = São José de Ribamar
| div_5  = Microrregião da Aglomeração Urbana de São Luís{{!}}São Luís
| pop_5  = 165,418
| img_5  =
| city_6 = Codó
| div_6  = Microrregião de Codó{{!}}Codó
| pop_6  = 118,567
| img_6  =
| city_7 = Paço do Lumiar
| div_7  = Microrregião da Aglomeração Urbana de São Luís{{!}}São Luís
| pop_7  = 107,764
| img_7  =
| city_8 = Açailândia
| div_8  = Microrregião de Imperatriz{{!}}Imperatriz
| pop_8  = 105,254
| img_8  =
| city_9 = Bacabal
| div_9  = Microrregião do Médio Mearim{{!}}Médio Mearim
| pop_9  = 100,614
| img_9  =
| city_10 = Santa Inês
| div_10  = Microrregião de Pindaré{{!}}Pindaré
| pop_10  = 78,020
| img_10  =
| city_11 = Balsas, Maranhão{{!}}Balsas
| div_11  = Microrregião dos Gerais de Balsas{{!}}Gerais de Balsas
| pop_11  = 85,321
| img_11  =
| city_12 = Barra do Corda
| div_12  = Microrregião do Alto Mearim e Grajaú{{!}}Alto Mearim e Grajaú
| pop_12  = 83,582
| img_12  =
| city_13 = Pinheiro, Maranhão{{!}}Pinheiro
| div_13  = Microrregião da Baixada Maranhense{{!}}Baixada Maranhense
| pop_13  = 78,875
| img_13  =
| city_14 = Santa Luzia (Maranhão){{!}}Santa Luzia
| div_14  = Microrregião de Pindaré{{!}}Pindaré
| pop_14  = 74,500
| img_14  =
| city_15 = Chapadinha
| div_15  = Microrregião de Chapadinha{{!}}Chapadinha
| pop_15  = 74,273
| img_15  =
| city_16 = Buriticupu
| div_16  = Microrregião de Pindaré{{!}}Pindaré
| pop_16  = 66,325
| img_16  =
| city_17 = Coroatá
| div_17  = Microrregião de Codó
| pop_17  = 62,189
| img_17  =
| city_18 = Itapecuru-Mirim
| div_18  = Microrregião de Itapecuru Mirim{{!}}Itapecuru-Mirim
| pop_18  = 63,023
| img_18  =
| city_19 = Grajaú (Maranhão){{!}}Grajaú
| div_19  = Microrregião do Alto Mearim e Grajaú{{!}}Alto Mearim e Grajaú
| pop_19  = 63,203
| img_19  =
| city_20 = Barreirinhas
| div_20  = Microrregião dos Lençois Maranhenses{{!}}Lençois Maranhenses
| pop_20  = 56,123
| img_20  =
}}{{Historical populations|11=1872|12=359040|13=1890|14=430854|15=1900|16=499308|17=1920|18=874337|19=1940|20=1235169|21=1950|22=1583248|23=1960|24=2492139|25=1970|26=3037135|27=1980|28=4097231|29=1991|30=4929029|31=2000|32=5657552|33=2010|34=6574789|35=2022|36=6776699|percentages=|footnote=Source:<ref name="census2022">{{Cite web|url=https://censo2022.ibge.gov.br/panorama/|title=2022 Census Overview|language=pt}}</ref>}}
=== Religion ===
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Maranhão (2010)
|label1 = [[Catholic Church]]
|value1 = 74.5
|color1 = Gold
|label2 = [[Protestantism]]
|value2 = 17.2
|color2 = Indigo
|label3 = [[Irreligion]]
|value3 = 6.3
|color3 = White
|label4 = [[Kardecist spiritism|Spiritism]]
|value4 = 0.2
|color4 = Skyblue
|label5 = Others
|value5 = 1.8
|color5 = LimeGreen
}}
According to the 2010 Brazilian Census, most of the population (74.5%) is [[Roman Catholic]], other religious groups include Protestants or evangelicals (17.2%), Spiritists (0.2%), Nones 6.3%, and people with other religions (1.8).<ref>[https://www.ibge.gov.br/estadosat/index.php Censo 2010]</ref><ref>[https://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/visualizacao/periodicos/94/cd_2010_religiao_deficiencia.pdf «Análise dos Resultados/IBGE Censo Demográfico 2010: Características gerais da população, religião e pessoas com deficiência»]</ref>
===Education===
{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2021}}
[[Image:Palácio dos Leões (noite).jpg|thumb|Palace of Lions at night, in [[São Luís, Maranhão|São Luís]]]]
[[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] is the official national language, and thus the primary language taught in schools. [[English language|English]] and [[Spanish language|Spanish]] are part of the official [[high school]] curriculum.
====Educational institutions====
Educational institutions in Maranhão include:
*[[Federal University of Maranhão|Universidade Federal do Maranhão]] (UFMA) (Federal University of Maranhão)
* Universidade Estadual do Maranhão (UEMA) (State University of Maranhão)
* Universidade Estadual da Região Tocantina do Maranhão (UEMASUL) (State University of the Tocantina Region of Maranhão)
* Centro Universitário do Maranhão (UNICEUMA) (University Center of Maranhão)
* Unidade de Ensino Superior do Sul do Maranhão (UNISULMA)
* Unidade de Ensino Superior Dom Bosco (UNDB)
* Instituto Federal do Maranhão (IFMA)
*Instituto Estadual do Maranhão (IEMA)
* [[Logos Institute of Theology|Instituto de Teologia Logos]] (ITL) (Logos Institute of Theology)
* Colégio Militar Tiradentes (CMT)
==Economy==
[[File:Gerais_de_Balsas_(8189725723).jpg|thumb|left|Soybean production in Balsas]]
[[File:BaixadaMaranhense.JPG|thumb|left|Banana plantation in Baixada Maranhense]]
[[File:Vls1-mockup-test.jpg|thumb|The [[Alcântara Launch Center]] in Maranhão]]
Maranhão is one of the poorest states of Brazil.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ai5piaui.com/nacional/20247/piaui-deixa-de-ser-estado-mais-pobre-do-brasil-aponta-a-fgv.html |title=Piauí deixa de ser Estado mais pobre do Brasil, aponta a FGV &#124; Ai5Piauí - Notícias do Piauí |access-date=2010-01-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317164148/http://www.ai5piaui.com/nacional/20247/piaui-deixa-de-ser-estado-mais-pobre-do-brasil-aponta-a-fgv.html |archive-date=2010-03-17 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The state has 3.4% of the Brazilian population and produces only 1.3% of the Brazilian [[GDP]].
The [[service sector]] is the largest component of [[GDP]] at 70%, followed by the [[industrial sector]] at 19.6%. [[Agriculture]] represents 10.4% of GDP (2015). Maranhão is the fourth-largest economy in the [[Northeast Region, Brazil|Northeast region]] and the 17th-largest in Brazil.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}
Maranhão exports: [[aluminium]] 50%, [[iron]] 23.7%, [[soybean]] 13.1% (2002). Share of the Brazilian economy: 0.9% (2004).<ref>{{cite book |title=List of Brazilian states by GDP |publisher=IBGE |location=Maranhão, Brazil |isbn=85-240-3919-1 |year=2004 |language=pt}}</ref>
Maranhão is also known as the land of the palm trees, as the various species of this tree provide its major source of income. The most important of them, from an economic point of view, is the [[Babassu oil|babassu]]. [[Agribusiness]], the [[aluminium]] and [[aluminium oxide|alumina]] transformation industries, the [[Pulp and paper industry|pulp industry]], [[Natural gas|natural gas production]], and the food and timber industries complement the state economy.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}
The Maranhão agricultural sector stands out in the production of [[rice]] (fifth-largest rice production in the country, and highest in the Northeast), [[cassava]] (second-largest planted area in the Northeast), [[soybean]], [[cotton]] (in both cases second-largest producer in the Northeast), [[sugarcane]], [[Maize|corn]] and [[eucalyptus]]. Agriculture benefits from the infrastructure of railroads ([[Carajás Railroad|Ferrovia Carajás]] and [[North-South Railway (Brazil)|Ferrovia Norte-Sul]]) and ports (Itaqui and [[Ponta da Madeira]]) and the proximity to the European and American markets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ma.gov.br/agenciadenoticias/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/perfil-da-agricultura-maranhense-1.pdf|title=Agriculture of Maranhão|access-date=2018-05-05|archive-date=2017-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713052227/http://www.ma.gov.br/agenciadenoticias/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/perfil-da-agricultura-maranhense-1.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Maranhão has the second largest cattle herd in the Northeast and the 12th largest in the country, with 7.6 million animals.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ma.gov.br/agenciadenoticias/desenvolvimento/agricultura-e-pesca/maranhao-conquista-o-maior-indice-vacinal-contra-febre-aftosa-do-nordeste|title=Maranhão conquista o maior índice vacinal contra febre aftosa do...|date=2016-08-02|work=Maranhão de Todos Nós|access-date=2018-05-05|language=pt-BR|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324041613/http://www.ma.gov.br/agenciadenoticias/desenvolvimento/agricultura-e-pesca/maranhao-conquista-o-maior-indice-vacinal-contra-febre-aftosa-do-nordeste|archive-date=2018-03-24|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The state also produces [[natural gas]] in the Parnaíba basin, with a production of 8.4 million m<sup>3</sup> per day, used in [[thermal power station]]s. Maranhão is the 6th largest producer in the country. Maranhão also has a hydroelectric plant (Estreito Hydroelectric Plant), a wind farm (in [[Lençóis Maranhenses National Park|Lençóis Maranhenses]]), and a thermoelectric plant ([[Suzano Maranhão Thermal Power Plant]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ma.gov.br/tag/gasmar/|title=Gasmar {{!}} Governo do Estado do Maranhão|website=www.ma.gov.br|language=pt-BR|access-date=2018-05-05}}</ref>
[[Porto do Itaqui|Itaqui Port]] annually moves millions of tons of cargo, being an important logistics corridor for the [[Central-West Region, Brazil|Center-West]] of the country. It is the second deepest port in the world. Among the main products handled in 2017 are soybeans (6,152,909 tons), corn (1,642,944 tons), fertilizers (1,536,697 tons), copper (836,062 tons), coal (636,254 tons), pig iron (505,733 t) clinker + slag (225,796 t), manganese (147,063 t), rice (89,833 t), imported liquid bulk (3,881,635 t), caustic soda (86,542 t), [[Ethanol fuel in Brazil|ethanol]] and [[Liquefied petroleum gas|LPG]] (150,753 t), totaling an annual turnover of 17,140,470 tons.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.portosenavios.com.br/noticias/portos-e-logistica/42000-itaqui-movimenta-16-3-milhoes-de-toneladas-de-janeiro-a-outubro |title=Portos e Navios - Itaqui movimenta 16,3 milhões de toneladas de janeiro a outubro |last=Redação |access-date=2018-05-05 |language=pt-br |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205072416/https://www.portosenavios.com.br/noticias/portos-e-logistica/42000-itaqui-movimenta-16-3-milhoes-de-toneladas-de-janeiro-a-outubro |archive-date=2018-02-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The port of Ponta da Madeira, belonging to the [[Vale (company)|Vale do Rio Doce]] is mainly destined for the export of iron ore brought from the [[Carajás Mountains|Serra dos Carajás]], in Pará. Between January and November 2017, 153.466 million tons were transported, and it is the national champion in moving loads. The [[Alcoa|Alumar]] Consortium Port transported 13.720 million tons between January and November 2017, mainly alumina.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.portosenavios.com.br/noticias/portos-e-logistica/42000-itaqui-movimenta-16-3-milhoes-de-toneladas-de-janeiro-a-outubro |title=Portos e Navios - Itaqui movimenta 16,3 milhões de toneladas de janeiro a outubro |last=Redação |access-date=2018-05-05 |language=pt-br |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205072416/https://www.portosenavios.com.br/noticias/portos-e-logistica/42000-itaqui-movimenta-16-3-milhoes-de-toneladas-de-janeiro-a-outubro |archive-date=2018-02-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Infrastructure==
[[File:Gol 737-800 SBSL GGY.JPG|thumb|São Luís Airport]]
[[File:Ponte Imperatriz.jpg|thumb|Imperatriz Bridge over Tocantins River in Maranhão]]
[[File:Trem_Passageiros.jpg|thumb|The Carajás Railway]]
===Airports===
[[Marechal Cunha Machado International Airport]] is located {{convert|13|km}} from the center of [[São Luís, Maranhão|São Luís]].  It began handling international flights in October 2004.  It has a covered area of {{convert|8100|m2}} and a capacity of one million passengers per year.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}
[[Imperatriz Airport|Renato Moreira Airport]] is a national airport located in [[Imperatriz]]. [[Infraero]] has administered the airport since November 3, 1980, one year before it was officially opened. The passenger terminal was modified and expanded in 1998, giving it new arrival and departure areas, an expanded main concourse, and air conditioning of the entire terminal.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}
===Highways===
The main highways in Maranhão are [[BR-010]], [[BR-135]], [[BR-316]], [[BR-222]] and [[BR-226]]. The state has a weak road infrastructure in the southern part of the state, and was identified, in 2022, as one of the worst road networks in the country.<ref>[https://www.gov.br/dnit/pt-br/rodovias/mapa-de-gerenciamento/mapas-gerenciais-dezembro-2023/ma.pdf Maranhão road map]</ref><ref>[https://g1.globo.com/ma/maranhao/noticia/2023/02/03/maranhao-apresenta-a-pior-malha-de-rodovias-federais-da-regiao-nordeste-aponta-pesquisa-da-cnt.ghtml Maranhão apresenta a pior malha de rodovias federais da região Nordeste, aponta pesquisa da CNT]</ref>
=== Railroads ===
Ferrovia Carajás
Ferrovia Norte-Sul
Ferrovia São Luís-Teresina
===Telecommunications===
The telephone area codes (named DDD in Brazil) for Maranhão are 98 and 99.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.codigosddd.com.br/maranhao/ |title=DDD do Maranhao |access-date=August 12, 2016}}</ref>
==Flag==
The flag of Maranhão was designed by the poet [[Joaquim de Sousa Andrade|Joaquim de Souza Andrade]], and was adopted by decree nr. 6, of December 21, 1889.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}
The colored strips (red, white and black) symbolize the different ethnic groups which make up the population, and their mixing and living together. The white star in the upper left corner symbolizes Maranhão itself, and is supposed to be [[Beta Scorpii]], as the constellation [[Scorpius]] is also depicted on the [[Flag of Brazil|national flag of Brazil]]. The flag has a ratio of 2:3.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}
==Portrayals in film==
* [[Andrucha Waddington]]'s ''[[The House of Sand]]'' (Casa de Areia, 2005) prominently features the [[Lençóis Maranhenses|sand dunes of Maranhão]].
* [[Carla Camurati]]'s ''[[Carlota Joaquina, Princess of Brazil]]'' (1995) was filmed in the historical center of [[São Luís, Maranhão|São Luís]], a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
* The song "[[Kadhal Anukkal]]" from the film ''[[Endhiran]]'' (Tamil, 2010) featuring Aishwarya Rai and Rajnikanth was filmed at the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park sand dunes.
==References==
{{reflist}}
==References==
*{{EB1911|wstitle=Maranhão|volume=17|page=668}}
This article incorporates text from the ''[[Catholic Encyclopedia]]'', a publication now in the public domain.
==External links==
{{sister project links|Maranhão|voy=Maranhão}}
* Freguesia de Maranhão em Portugal - https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maranh%C3%A3o_(Avis)
*[http://www.ma.gov.br Official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210820010948/https://www.ma.gov.br/ |date=2021-08-20 }} {{in lang|pt}}
*[http://portal.ceara.pro.br/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33292&catid=451&Itemid=101 Relação Sumária das Cousas do Maranhão, by Simão Estácio da Silveira] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005222634/http://portal.ceara.pro.br/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33292&catid=451&Itemid=101 |date=2015-10-05 }}, a contemporary account of the early Portuguese colonization of Maranhão, published in Lisbon in 1624 by a leading coloniser {{in lang|pt}}
*[https://archive.org/details/histcomvol1mar History of the Commerce of Maranhão (1612 - 1895), by Jerônimo de Viveiros] {{in lang|pt}} (PDF)
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150709111814/http://www.ihgb.org.br/trf_arq.php?r=rihgb1901t00641.pdf Revista do Instituto Histórico e Geográfico Brasileiro, 1909, Tomo LXXII - Parte I, Chronicle of the Jesuits in Maranhão, by João Felipe Bettendorf] {{in lang|pt}} (PDF)
*[http://www2.senado.leg.br/bdsf/item/id/221726 Historical geographical dictionary of Maranhão, by César Marques] {{in lang|pt}}
{{Municipalities of Maranhão}}
{{States of Brazil}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maranhao}}
[[Category:Maranhão| ]]
[[Category:Federative units of Brazil]]
[[Category:Northeast Region, Brazil|*]]
[[Category:Former Portuguese colonies]]