chapada

Chapada is a geographic term used in Brazil to describe high, flat-topped plateaus, often with steep escarpments and rugged landscapes. The word derives from Portuguese chapada, meaning a flat or elevated surface. Chapadas are formed by long-term erosion of rock layers that leave a plateau separated from surrounding terrain. They commonly occur in the Brazilian highlands within the cerrado, caatinga, and Atlantic Forest regions, and they frequently feature cliffs, rivers, waterfalls, caves, and karst formations. The ecosystems on chapadas can host a mix of savanna, dry forest, and endemic species, making them important for biodiversity.

Several well-known chapadas are protected as national parks. Chapada Diamantina National Park in Bahia preserves a large plateau with canyons, waterfalls and extensive cave systems. Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park in Goiás is known for quartzite cliffs, grasslands, and rich wildlife. Chapada dos Guimarães National Park in Mato Grosso protects sandstone formations near Cuiabá and offers scenic trails and waterfalls. In addition to these parks, the term appears in numerous municipal names and regional designations across Brazil, reflecting the geographic prominence of these flat-topped highlands.

Tourism and research are common in chapadas, with activities such as trekking, canyoning, birdwatching, and cave exploration. Conservation challenges include habitat loss, mining impacts, fire risk, and water management, which are typically addressed within the framework of protected areas and sustainable tourism programs.