Buriticupu

São José de Ribamar
Flag of São José de Ribamar
Official seal of São José de Ribamar
Location of São José de Ribamar in the state of Maranhão and Brazil
Location of São José de Ribamar in the state of Maranhão and Brazil
Coordinates: 4°20′34″S 46°24′06″W / 4.34278°S 46.40167°W / -4.34278; -46.40167
CountryBrazil
StateMaranhão
Founded1994
Government
 • MayorZé Gomes (PRB)
Area
 • Total2,544.975 km2 (982.620 sq mi)
Elevation
174 m (571 ft)
Population
 (2020 [1])
 • Total72,983
 • Density29/km2 (74/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−3 (BRT)
Postal code
65393
Area code(+55) 98
Websiteburiticupu.ma.gov.br

Buriticupu is a municipality in Maranhão founded in 1994. Its population in 2020 was 72,983.

The area has suffered significant gully erosion with about 30 gullies (in April 2024), one of which is 80m deep. These are called “voçoroca” or “torn land” in the indigenous Tupi-Guarani language. At least 50 houses have been destroyed by the erosion and other residents have abandoned their homes, leaving whole neighbourhoods deserted. The area, part of the Amazon rainforest, was once covered in trees, such as cedar, West Indian locust and ipê. In the 1990s the area had over 50 sawmills working 24 hours a day which depleted the vegetation which increased run-off, resulting in rapid soil erosion.[2] The area has a volume of rainfall over 2,000 liters per square metre each year.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ IBGE 2020
  2. ^ Suzuki, Shin (23 April 2024). "The vast ravines swallowing whole neighbourhoods around the world - BBC News". News. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  3. ^ Martín, Gloria (14 November 2023). "Buriticupu: the city in the Brazilian Amazon that is being swallowed by the earth". Yourweather.co.uk | Meteored. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.