Campos Gerais of Paraná

In the 18th century, this land was a passageway of the cattle herds and tropeiros, or cattle dealers, who travelled through the Caminho do Viamão, from Rio Grande do Sul to the fairs in São Paulo. The flow of these travellers is extremely relevant in the cultural and economic formation of Paraná, where massive groups of European immigrants settled. This past full of history can be re-lived by travelling along the Route of the Tropeiros or the Route of the Immigrants, or the Industrial Route. Ponta Grossa is considered a reference due to the companies and events, and its natural richness.

The contrast between fields – with impressive araucarias and mountain cliffs – is the main characteristic of the region. This landscape offers natural scenarios of rare and magical beauty. A region were trips can be based on pure contemplation of the landscape or lots of adventure, inside the Parks and Nature Reserves, like Vila Velha with its rocky formations, or Guartelá that houses one of the largest canyons in the country, or Itaytyba, a reserve of very pleasant surprises in a rural setting. There are various rivers, especially the Tibagi and the Iapó that provide adventure and leisure.

Most of the historical cities initially emerged as resting places for the tropeiros, such as Palmeira, Castro, Tibagi, Jaguariaíva, Arapoti, Sengés and Piraí do Sul, home of the Sanctuary Nossa Senhora das Brotas, the Patron Saint of the Route of the Tropeiros.
Local culture is greatly influenced by the numerous cooperatives of Dutch and Slav-Germanic colonization, such as Batavo, Castrolanda, Witmarsum and Capal, that offer gastronomy, history, handcrafts and a profound learning experience.

For more information, visit the website of Region Campos Gerais of Paraná: www.amcg.com.br