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"These are the Waterfalls of Itapecurú."  

The name Carolina is due to the Brazil's First Empress, Maria Leopoldina Josefa, daughter of the Austria's Emperor and Dom Pedro's first wifes. 

The first settlers came in expeditions to capture Indians that would be used in the attempt to find gold. In 1625 the Jesuits arrived, however the first village was only founded in 1809. 23 years later, almost all of the inhabitants emigrated to the town, 16 Km to the south of the mouth of the river, where today is Carolina. The first population, named São Pedro de Alcântara, had only 42 people. 

With the nickname of Paraíso das Águas (Waters Paradise), in the middle of the savannah of Maranhão, it is cut by 22 rivers and presents countless waterfalls, grottos and caves, that deserve prominence in the national scenery. The main attractions are: Ilha dos Botes  (Boats Island), Poço Azul (Blue Well), the waterfalls of Pedra Caída  (Fallen Stone) and the plateaus of Chapada das Mesas, formed by the hills "do Chapéu" (of the Hat), do dedo (of the Finger), do Gavião (of the Hawk), do Macaco (of the Monkey) and Portal da Chapada. Morro das Figuras (Hill of the Illustrations) is also one of Carolina's most interesting places. There, archeologists discovered registrations of ancient inhabitants, that would indicate the presence of Indian ancestrals in that area recently. 

"Lagoa Azul (Blue Pond) is great."  

Cachoeiras da Pedra Caída (Waterfalls of the Fallen Stone): it is the first important tourist point of the South of Maranhão. It has three large waterfalls, and in Gruta do Amor (Love Grotto) the water falls down from 46 meters in a series of small jumps, besides great swimming pool of running water. It is 50 meters from BR-010 highway, 35 Km distant from Carolina, being in private property. 

Cachoeira da Pedra Furada (Waterfall of the Holed Stone) - It is a walk by native vegetation, crossing some farms, that needs attendance of specialized guide. 

Cachoeiras de Santa Bárbara (Waterfalls of Santa Bárbara) - Santa Bárbara's Waterfall, a fall of 80 meters is located in the Municipal district of Riaçhão. The distance to Carolina is 80 km. 

"The hills here have a table format."  

Cachoeiras do Itapecuru (Waterfalls of Itapecuru): its two waterfalls,  with 18 m and 20 m form an enormous natural swimming pool with rocks that surround it, beaches and small island. There is also a disabled hydroelectric power station of the 40's. The waterfalls are close to BR-230 highway, 33 Km distant from Carolina. It is in private property. 

Cachoeiras do Rio Farinha (Waterfalls of River Farinha): a 4x4 car is needed to arrive to São Romão's, do Prata (of the Silver) and do Farinha (of the Flour)  waterfalls, the three in river Farinha, tributary of the river Tocantins. Now they are being endangered by the construction of a hydroelectric, whose work is stopped. The waterfalls are in private properties. 

"Cachoeira Santa Bárbara (Santa Bárbara Waterfall's

Ilha dos Botes (Boats Island): it is 5 Km from Carolina, down the river Tocantins, with access by boat and by car, leaving from the neighborhood of Brejinho. Going by car, one can leave it to the margin of the river, in a wide parking, and then take the boat that will make the transportion to the Island, only 100 meters far from there. There one will find bar and restaurant and even huts (of straw) where one can to stay overnight.  

In case the Barragem de Estreito (Estreito Dam) is built, part of the island may disappear.  

Morro das Figuras (Hill of the Illustrations): Close to the Cachoeira do Prata (Waterfall of the Silver), 40 km from Carolina with rocky formation with several ancient registrations, recently discovered by archeologists, that believe being made by the Craô Indians descendant of the Tupi-Guaranis. 

Morro do Chapéu (Hill of the Hat): With its 378 meters of height, it got this name because of the format. 

"Cool! "  

Morro do Portal (Hill of the Portal): of easy access, but only for who knows the place well (you have to climb by its backside). The hill that is in the highway for the waterfalls of Pedra Caída, offers an impressive view of Chapada das Mesas. Besides, an interesting fact is that in one of the walls of the hill there is a crater with the format of the map of Tocantins' State. 

Passagem Funda (Deep Passage): Cave where numerous population of bats lives. 

Cachoeiras do Prata (Waterfalls of the Silver) - Cachoeiras do Prata (Waterfall of the Silver) is located in Rio Farinha (River Farinha), in a not so explored area, which means: wild. The people that live around are typical country, they care for the place they live in. It is close to São Romão's waterfall. 

"The water is crystal clear here."  

Praia do Tocantins (Tocantins' Beach): known by everyone who goes to the south area of Maranhão, the place is quite full. In spite of they being known as Carolina's beaches, they are in Tocantins' side of the river, in the city of Philadelphia. The beaches begin to appear when the water level lowers, starting from June and only disappearing by the end of August. 

Cachoeiras do São Romão (São Romão's Waterfalls) - São Romão's Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall, located in Rio Farinha, a tributary of Rio Tocantins, 70 kilometers from Carolina. The access to the waterfall is made by dirt road, being necessary a traction vehicle like pick-ups or jeeps. What makes the trip even more adventurous. 

"The road to the Fallen Stone is beautiful."  

 
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Tips by GUSTAVO VIVACQUA

1. Spend, at least, 2 or 3 days visiting the area. 

2. The main waterfalls are already explored by the proprietors, that collect a visitation tax.  

3. In July the fluvial beaches of Tocantins appear and they are invaded by tourists of the area, to better enjoy the city, choose other months to visit the area. 

4. Don't forget to try the juices of Bacuri, Cupuaçu, jenipapo, murici and Açaí, that is called Juçara there. Oh, of Juçara there are also wines, as well as of buriti. 

5. There are some stories of the appearance of UFOS at the waterfalls of Itapecuru, where a woman was "attacked". The case even brought ufologists to the city. 

6. Try the foods of African origin, Caruru and Cuxá (prepared with dry shrimp, vinegar, sesame and manioc flour). Broths of eggs, of chicken, of fish, of bean, and of meat are also part of the local cookery. 

7. Don't miss visiting the Waterfall of the Fallen Stone. It is one of the most beautiful waterfalls of Brazil. 

8. To visit the Waterfall of the Silver and São Romão with 4x4 car, because the road is made of soft sand. 

9. There is the possibility of the construction of a hydroelectric power station in the area. If it happens Rio Farinha's waterfalls like São Romão and of the Silver will disappear. Enjoy while you can.

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