THEME 6 – Geoparks and geosites: a twin-tracked approach to geological heritage

PRESENTATION – Oral by Antonio Liccardo

TITLE:

GEOLOGICAL TOURISM IN “ROTA DOS TROPEIROS”, BRAZIL

A historical track links geoparks and geological sites

Antonio Liccardo¹ - liccardo@ambienteimagem.com.br

Gil Piekarz² - gil@onda.com.br

^1,2 Minerais do Paraná S/A – MINEROPAR

“Rota dos Tropeiros” is one of Brazil’s most ancient expansion routes; it links southern Brazil, the cattle producing region, to southeast economical centers. This route, known since the 18^th century, links sixteen counties that present potential for tourism, both because of the local architecture and historical culture, and for the natural heritage present there.

Geologically, the route spreads out over the eastern edge of Paraná’s Sedimentary Basin surrounding paleozoic marine and glacial sediments, cambrian and mesozoic volcanism and precambrian metamorphic rocks. Geomorphological features are the main attractions of the region: canyons, slopes, special reliefs in sandstone and many waterfalls. Ancient mining of gold, iron and mineral water add historical and scientific contents to the natural heritage.

Data collected along 300km of the route in the state of Paraná have pointed out great geological diversity in this stretch where geological sites among the already established parks can become tourist attractions. The approach of geological and paleo-environmental processes proposes continuity of tourism along the aforementioned stretch. Geological or geomorphological parks such as Vila Velha, Guartelá, Cerrado and Monge which lie in the “Rota dos Tropeiros” are conceptually linked by private reserves and environmental protection areas.

The registration, study and publicity of sites among the already existent parks result in a new approach for geotourism in this region, based on the frequency of visitors and also on the increase of the published information.

The existence of an already established historical and tourist route is a fundamental factor in the creation of a geotourist tour and suggests a new conceptual direction for the use in tourism, maintenance of geological heritage and publicity of geoscientific information.

Keywords – geotourism; natural heritage; Rota dos Tropeiros; Paraná basin; environment