Mato Grosso do Sul

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Mato Grosso do Sul State in sw Brazil, bordered n by Mato Grosso, w by Bolivia, and w and s by Paraguay; the capital is Campo Grande. Early pioneers exploited the area's gold and diamonds but there was little permanent settlement until the late 20th century. In 1979, it was created a separate state from the s part of Mato Grosso. Most of Mato Grosso do Sul lies on an extension of the central plateau of Brazil. There is marshland to the nw and the state has extensive grazing land. There are vast mineral resources, including iron ore and manganese. Agriculture and livestock are important, and the main crops are groundnuts, rice, beans, maize, and cotton. Area: 350,548sq km (135,347sq mi). Pop. (2000) 2,075,275.