Lençóis Maranhenses National Park

A national park in Maranhão, Brazil, where seasonal freshwater lagoons form among vast white sand dunes. Its shifting landscape lies between the Amazon and the semiarid Northeast.

Seasonal lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses: Freshwater pools that collect between dunes in Lençóis Maranhenses during the rainy season. Rainwater fills depressions between dunes, producing the park’s defining seasonal landscape.
Maranhão: A state in northeastern Brazil, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and several Brazilian states. The park occupies Maranhão’s northern coast and takes its name from the state.
Tourism in Lençóis Maranhenses: Travel to Lençóis Maranhenses for its dunes, lagoons, and coastal landscapes. Tourism brings visitors to the park while raising questions about access and environmental pressure.
UNESCO World Heritage Site: A place inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List for outstanding cultural or natural value. The park’s recognition as a World Heritage site reflects its exceptional natural landscape.
Namib Desert: A coastal desert in southwestern Africa known for ancient dunes and extreme aridity. Unlike the Namib’s aridity, Lençóis Maranhenses receives seasonal rains that fill freshwater lagoons.
Barchan dune: A crescent-shaped dune formed by wind blowing mainly from one direction across a limited sand supply. These migrating dunes help explain the park’s curved ridges and shifting sandy terrain.
Parnaíba River: A major river in northeastern Brazil that flows into the Atlantic Ocean between Maranhão and Piauí. River systems near the park contribute sediment to the region’s coastal landscape.
Brazilian national parks: Protected areas established by Brazil to conserve natural ecosystems and support compatible public use. The park’s rules and management belong to Brazil’s national-park system.
Biodiversity of Lençóis Maranhenses: The variety of organisms and habitats found within Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. Dunes, lagoons, and adjacent ecosystems support wildlife adapted to seasonal change.
Sahara: The world’s largest hot desert, spanning much of North Africa. The park can look desert-like, but it is not a desert and has a marked rainy season.

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