 | Poconé (federal state Mato Grosso) is a small town in Brazil with about 31,000 inhabitants. She lies at the receipt of the Pantanal and removes approximately 100 km from the Cuiabá (capital of Mato Grosso). The name of the town is from the Beripoconeses, Indians who lived in this area. The Transpantaneira, the street connection of Poconé across the Pantanal up to the end-point named postage Jofre, starts here.
Poconé was founded on January 21st, 1781 and was the largest town until some decades ago with respect to cattle auctions in Brazil. Most cows were still auctioned here until about 25 years ago. There is a cattle auction every Sunday certainly today. Until 15 years ago Poconé was also main emphasis of many gold-diggers which came through up to the Pantanal, however, have not tried it again and again. By the gold boom the town blossomed out at the end of the 1980s years. Resulted for bars, pubs it and prostitution, smuggling and the drug traffic developed. As of the middle of the nineties the gold-hunters disappeared again and the life brought itself back to normal again. For many small shop, pub owners and restaurant owners, however, this meant the ruin. Not far from the town centre a gigantic goldmine exists with several hundred metres of depth today certainly where you still dig after gold.
The inhabitants of celebrations and solemnities dear to Poconé. Some celebrations last up to five day in which traditional folklore dances can be seen. The local kitchen is considerably different from remaining Brazil. Gives Pacu (fish), Rodízio (grilled meat) special freshwater fish from the Pantanal, piranhas with cassava and rice and fruit compotes from local fruits. The fruit liqueurs produced here which also have to be acquired are considered a speciality. The people live mainly on country and forestry.
The gap between the poor and the rich is clear to feel. The predominant population lives on its hand into the mouth. Many inhabitants commute to Cuiabá because there is no work in Poconé. For larger investments the money is missing. The tourism develops only slowly. The town is starting point for the visit the northern one Pantanals and a centre of attraction for bird, hinge and nature-lovers which want to try her luck in the Rio Cuiabá, Rio Piraim and Rio Pixaim.
|