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Speleological Provinces The formation of caves (speleo-genesis) essentially depends on the action of waters over soluble rocks. Various factors, such as the rock type, the climate and the topography, interfere in this process, causing some regions to be more prone to the formation of grottos and abysses. Such regions, usually formed by carbonaceous rocks (limestone and dolomites), present a topography denominated karst, where other forms such as rock walls, arches and rock towers occur. Also common in Brazil are caverns in other kinds of rock, like quartzite, sandstone, gneiss, bauxite and iron, which enlarges the country's speleological potential. The speleological provinces are areas where the occurrence of caves are of a national expression, being subdivided in more homogeneous regions, denominated Districts. The Brazilian Speleological Provinces and Districts are the following: 1 - Speleological Province of Ribeira Valley 2 - Speleological Province of Bambuí 3 - Speleological Province of Serra da Bodoquena 4 - Speleological Province of Higher Paraguai 5 - Speleological Province of Chapada de Ibiapaba 6 - Speleological Province of Rio Pardo 7 - Speleological Sandstone Province of Serra Geral 8 - Speleological Sandstone Province of the Higher Urubu 9 - Speleological Province of Quadrilátero Ferrífero 10 - Speleological Province of Serra do Espinhaço 11 - Speleological Quartzitic Province of Ibitipoca 12 - Speleological Sandstone Province of Monte Alegre 13 - Speleological Sandstone Province of Altamira 14 - Speleological Laterite Province of Carajás 15 - Speleological Sandstone Province of Chapada dos Guimarães 16 - Speleological Province of Paraná 17 - Speleological Province of Chapada do Apodi 18 - Speleological Area of São João del Rey – Barbacena 19 - Speleological Area of Curaçá – Canudos 20 - Speleological Area of Vaza Barris 21 - Speleological Area of Espírito Santo 22 - Speleological Area of Paraíba do Sul Valley - Serra do Mar 23 - Speleological Bauxitic Area of the Piriá River Valley 24 - Speleological Area of Grupo Araxá 25 - Carbonic Region of Central Eastern Santa Catarina 26 - Carbonic Region of Rio Grande do Sul 27 - Other occurrences |
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