Chapter 1
The river that runs backward
Chapter 2
Guardians of the water
Chapter 3
Canyons, cactus, and hidden life
Chapter 4
Taming the wild waters
YOUR GOAL
Master of The backward-flowing giant of Brazil
Ch 3 · Canyons, cactus, and hidden life
schopenhauer São Francisco River Canyons
Deep in the red canyons where the river flows, cactus on the cliffs and ancient art in the shadows!
schopenhauer Warm illustrations show rainwater soaking into Cerrado soil near the Sao Francisco River.
schopenhauer Cosmic nebulae and star fields illuminate the towering rock walls of Xingó Canyon
BETA
schopenhauer Navigate the secret canyon river to discover the Sao Francisco's unique qualities.
Fun Fact
The cactus forest: The Caatinga biome is so dry that some plants survive by absorbing morning dew directly through their bark.
Glossary
caatinga (noun)
A semi-arid ecoregion characterized by thorny, drought-resistant vegetation native to northeastern Brazil. The São Francisco River cuts through this dry wilderness, nourishing resilient desert flora and elusive local fauna.
A semi-arid ecoregion characterized by thorny, drought-resistant vegetation native to northeastern Brazil. The São Francisco River cuts through this dry wilderness, nourishing resilient desert flora and elusive local fauna.
Quiz
Which biome feeds the headwaters of the São Francisco River with absorbed rainwater?
Quiz
What stunning geographic feature was created on the river after the Xingó Dam was built?
Quiz
What plant is a famous drought-resistant symbol of the Caatinga biome along the river?
Quiz
Which unique semi-arid biome, found only in Brazil, does the São Francisco River cross?
Quiz
What does the name of the 'Caatinga' biome mean in the indigenous Tupi language?
Quiz
Which large, spotted catfish is one of the most famous native species in the São Francisco River?