Lagoa dos Patos

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Lagoa dos Patos

Lagoa dos Patos is the second largest lagoon in Latin America after Maracaibo, and the biggest in Brazil. It is located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. It is 174 miles (280 km) long, has a maximum width of 44 miles (70 km), and a total area of 3,803 sq. mi. (9,850 km). It is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a sandbar about 5 miles (8 kilometers) wide. The navigable São Gonçalo Channel, which enters Lagoa dos Patos near the town of Pelotas, connects Lagoa dos Patos to Lagoa Mirim to the south. The Rio Grande, at the south end of Lagoa dos Patos, forms the outlet to the Atlantic.
The lagoon's largest and most fertile island is the Ilha dos Marinheiros, which is located near the eastern shore.On the coast are the following cities: Rio Grande, Pelotas, São José do Norte, São Lourenço do Sul, Tapes.