Submitted by mhabich
on
Goias (Portuguese: Goiás) is a state of Brazil, located in the Central West region of the country. The name Goiás (formerly, Goyaz) comes from the name of an indigenous community. The original word seems to have been guaiá, meaning "the same person" or "people of the same origin." Neighboring states are (from north clockwise) Tocantins, Bahia, Minas Gerais, the Federal District, Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso.
The most central of the Brazilian states and the most populous of the region, Goiás is characterized by a landscape of plateaus. In the height of the drought season, from June to September, the lack of rain makes the level of the Araguaia River go down and exposes almost 2 km of beaches, making it the main attraction of the State.