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Further inland, away from rivers, the inundations are limited
to depressions, the baías (bays) which may be circular,
and even have an island in it. These bays measure from hundreds
of meters to more than 10km in diameter.
Depressions
are separated from each other by vegetation and high trees strips
in higher terrain, know as cordilheiras, and wood
islands called capões. During the dry season,
from June to November, these bodies of water dry up and are
called barreiros. They are visited by wild animals
and cattle hungry for salt. A water course connecting bays and permanent
rivers is called a corixo. As the soil is very permeable,
even the larger rivers diminish in volume if the dry season is prolonged.
During the flood season, from December to May, the land is fertilized
by the suspended sediments (clay, silt, organic matter) in the water,
which are deposited on the plains, resembling to the Delta of Nile
in Egypt. The water begins to lower in April, but only in June/July
the water is back to river beds leaving isolated marshes and ponds
full of fish, attracting countless birds, caymans and other animals.
In October rain begins again, increasing gradually. This rhythm
is essential for area's life sustain.
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