Why Corumbá
Corumbá is a Brazilian municipality located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, positioned 425 kilometers northwest of the state capital, Campo Grande. Situated along the Paraguay River near the borders of both Bolivia and Paraguay, the city is widely celebrated as the primary gateway to the South Pantanal. This expansive humid plain is recognized as one of South America's most vital ecological regions, designated as a Brazilian National Patrimony, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a Biosphere Reserve.
Covering 18 percent of Mato Grosso do Sul's total land area, Corumbá is the state's largest municipality by surface area, as well as its westernmost and northernmost city. The smaller municipality of Ladário forms an enclave entirely contained within Corumbá's borders. The surrounding terrain includes the nearby buttes of Mount Urucum, which contain substantial mineral deposits, contributing to a local economy centered on mineral extraction, agriculture, animal husbandry, and eco-tourism.
Established by the Spanish in 1778 as a military colony and outpost, Corumbá grew in strategic significance following the Paraguayan War of 1865 to 1870, when the Paraguay River was opened to international shipping. It officially attained city status in 1878. Transnational connections deepened in 1955 with the completion of the Santa Cruz-Corumbá Railway, linking the region to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Today, a significant Bolivian community resides in the city, and Bolivia maintains a consulate there. The urban border directly meets the Bolivian towns of Puerto Quijarro and Puerto Suárez via Ramon Gomes Road, creating a popular cross-border shopping district.
Architecturally, Corumbá features a high urbanization rate of nearly 90 percent and is split into two distinct sectors. The lower section lies near the port and encompasses the original historical settlement, while the larger, newer upper section follows a grid layout. Unlike many historic Brazilian settlements dominated by Portuguese colonial design, the urban architecture exhibits an Italian neoclassical style similar to historical neighborhoods in Asunción, Buenos Aires, and southern South America.
Visitors use Corumbá primarily as a base to explore the remarkable biodiversity of the Pantanal wildlife reserve. The surrounding ecosystems host cataloged populations of hundreds of bird species—such as hyacinth macaws, herons, and jabiru storks—alongside mammals like tapirs and capybaras, plus caimans, anacondas, butterflies, and diverse plant life. Travel to the municipality is facilitated by Corumbá International Airport.
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