THE CENTRAL REGION lies on the Brazilian massif, and consists of the states of Matto Grosso, Goyaz, and Minas Geraes, together with parts of the adjacent states. Much of the region is still unexplored, and its geographical features are but imperfectly known. The nucleus consists of Archaean rocks, though over large areas these are covered by metamorphosed and unaltered sedi mentary rocks of Palaeozoic age. The temperature is high at all seasons of the year except in the south, where the winters are mild. Over the greater part of the region the rainfall varies from 60 to 80 inches, but in the north-east it is considerably less. On the lower lands and in the river valleys there are forests ; the uplands are generally covered with grass ; and in the area of low rainfall, caatinga prevails. The population is small, and there is as yet little economic development. Matto Grosso is practically un inhabited ; in Goyaz cattle are raised on the campos ; and the south-east of Minas Geraes is devoted to agricultural and pastoral pursuits for the benefit of Rio de Janeiro. Mate grows extensively in the south of Goyaz.
When this region has been more fully developed, its chief source of wealth will probably be found in its great mineral deposits.
For long, gold and diamonds have been found in alluvial formations in the neighbourhood of the ancient crystalline rocks which form the backbone of the country, and they still are a valuable export. Within recent years large deposits of iron have been located, but the difficulties of transport have hitherto prevented their proper exploitation. The best known district is in Minas Geraes, in that section of the Espinhaco range which forms the divide between the Rio Doce and the Sao Francisco. In the metamorphosed sedimentary beds, which here overlie the crystalline schists, occurs the iron-bearing quartzite known as " itabirite." In places, also, there are hills of iron ore which is almost pure. The total resources of this district alone, appear from all accounts to be enormous, and would seem to indicate that Brazil may one day be the greatest producer of iron ore in the world. Among other minerals found in the Central region are manganese, cinnabar, platinum, graphite, etc.