MATTO GROSSO, or MATO GROSSO, a province of Brazil, lying between Lat. 7. and 24. S., Long. 50. and 62. W., and bounded on the N. by the provinces of Para and Alto Amazonas, on the E. by that of Goiás, on the S. by that of Paraná, and on the W. by Bolivia; area estimated at 426,500 square miles. Of this extensive country little is known with accuracy, for it has been but little visited by Europeans, being covered to a great extent with dense forests, from which the province derives its name. It is traversed by several ridges of mountains, but these are of no great elevation. Great part of the surface is occupied by undulating table-lands. The principal mountain ridge runs from E. to W., and afterwards N.W., separating the waters that flow into the La Plata from those which go to swell the giant stream of the Amazon. This chain is known by different names in different places; being called the Serra dos Vertentes on the E., and the Parexis or Paricis on the W. and N.W.; while the whole bears the name of Cordillera Geral. Besides this, there are numerous branches from the central ridge in both directions, many of which have no distinctive names. The table-land on the N., which is called Caniços dos Paricis, is barren, and uninhabited by Europeans; while that of the Paraná to the S. possesses large pastures. The principal rivers of the province are,—the Madeira and its tributary the Guaporé, the Jurucua, the Chingua, and the Araguaia, flowing to the N., and joining the Amazon and the Tocantins; and, flowing to the S., the Paraguay and the Cuiaba. In many parts of the province gold and diamonds have been found; a circumstance which has induced the formation of settlements and mines; but these are now comparatively unproductive, and little cared for. Besides this, various other gems and minerals are found in different parts. Rock-salt and salt-
Maturin. petre are found, but they are not worked to any great extent; and although rich iron exists in great abundance, yet this metal has not attracted so much attention as the gold and precious stones, and is allowed to lie neglected. In many of the valleys the soil is very rich and fertile, producing rice, millet, cotton, sugar, tobacco, &c.; but comparatively little of the district is cultivated, owing to the thinness of the population. The natural productions of the country consist of timber of many different kinds, some of which are used for ornamental purposes; and gums, balsams, cacao, jalap, &c. Among the fauna of this country the principal are pumas, jaguars, deer, hares, &c. The climate is hot and tropical; and the rainy season extends from April to September, during which time the rivers overflow their banks, and fertilize the low-lying country in the neighbourhood. The inhabitants are chiefly native Indians; and they are occupied for the most part in hunting and pastoral employments. The commerce of the province is very small, and cannot be expected to make much progress as long as there are not better means of communication than at present exist. Mato Grosso is divided into two comarcas,—Cuiaba and Mato Grosso. It sends two members to the legislature of Brazil,—one to the Senate, and one to the Chamber of Deputies; and is governed by a provincial assembly of twenty members. The capital is Cuiaba, which, though a mere village, is the residence of an archbishop. The town of Mato Grosso, which was formerly called Villa Bella, is situated in the midst of wide plains on the Guaporé, and consists of low, wooden, tiled houses, which are arranged with considerable regularity. It contains churches and other public buildings, and has a population of 15,000. In the vicinity there are several mines. Pop. of the province, 180,000.