Why Balsas
Balsas is a municipality situated in the southern part of Maranhão, a state in northeastern Brazil. Positioned approximately 800 kilometers away from the state capital of São Luís, it stands as the largest municipality by land area in Maranhão, spanning more than 13,100 square kilometers. Geographically, the terrain maintains an average elevation of 283 meters above sea level.
The natural environment surrounding Balsas is defined predominantly by the Cerrado savanna biome. Numerous streams and rivers flow throughout the territory, with the Rio Balsas serving as the primary waterway that cuts directly through the city. Despite the region's native landscape, local ecosystems face environmental pressure from the ongoing expansion of agricultural practices.
Demographically, the municipality experienced notable growth in the early 2000s, expanding from a census population of 60,613 in 2001 to more than 78,000 residents by 2007. Over four-fifths of the population resides within the urban area. Culturally and religiously, the city serves as the seat for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Balsas, and it is known as the birthplace of singer Manoel Gomes.
Balsas experiences a tropical savanna climate characterized by distinct weather patterns throughout the year. The weather is consistently hot from April through October, while the rainy season takes place between November and March.
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