ON THE AREAL VARIATION OF LAND AND ITS UTILIZATION PATTERNS IN THE STATE OF PRAIBA, NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

Abstract

This paper is an approach to the analysis of land and its utilization patterns in Northeastern Brazil. It was based on the field observations of the multiple relationship existing between natural environment and human activities. The Department of Geography, Tokyo Kyoiku University, planned a field study of Northeastern Brazil, and sent the research missions to this area three times, sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Education. The first field study was carried on from December, 1966 to February, 1967, the second from January to March, 1971, and the third from December, 1972 to February, 1973. This report outlines the results of field observation in the third field study, mainly in the state of Paralba. Many geographers have established the areally corresponding relationship between natural environmental factors and land use. Our research group, including myself, proposes a division of land use regions in the state of ParaIba. This consists of three regions and ten subregions as follows: 1) Zona da Mata a) Coastal lowland. b) Tabuleiros. c) Varzea (Rio de Acucar). 2) Agreste d) Peripheral Tabuleiros. e) Depression Zone (low relief plain formed on crystaline rock). f) Borborema Massif. g) Brejos. 3) Sertao h) Cariris. i) Piranhas basin. j) Alto-Sertao.