The Lençóis Maranhenses Dunes look like the unspoiled, white sand
undulations of any archetypical desert, save for the deep, blue pools of
water collecting between the hills.
Located on the edge of the Preguiças River in Brazil, the seeming
desert region is just adjacent to the tropical Amazon Basin which is
generally lush, wet, and green. This being the case, the Lençóis
Maranhenses dunes are subject to the nearby area's torrential rainy
seasons. Between the months of July and September the depressions
between the dunes fill with rainwater creating pools ranging from small
ponds to deep lakes. Like any real desert, the 1,500 square kilometer
area supports little plant life despite the rain, but the transient
bodies of water amazingly populate with marine life each year as
migratory birds accidentally deposit fish eggs in the waters. Most of
the underwater life dies off when the pools evaporate during the dry
season, but the local human population is able to maintain a healthy
fishing trade none the less.
The Lençóis Maranhenses Dunes are recognized as a national park and
are closely protected, not allowing vehicles within the recognized
borders of the park, but its just as well since breaking down in the
desert is bad enough without having to worry about drowning as well.
