Expedition Map
The Pantanal is the world's largest wetlands, spanning an area the size of the state of Kansas. Surrounded by the Andes Mountains in the west, and high plateaus in the east, the region forms an immense basin extending into three countries. Most of the Pantanal is located in southwestern Brazil. One fifth of the area reaches into eastern Bolivia and Paraguay.

The Earthwatch research team's home base is the Fazenda Rio Negro. It is a spectacular 7,000 hectare former cattle ranch. Today, the ranch is owned by Conservation International. The plan is to develop the ranch into becoming a model for conservation management and ecotourism.

To learn more about Conservation International in the Pantanal, click here

The Fazenda is located on the Rio Negro (Black River) in the southern part of the Pantanal. It is one of the most underdeveloped parts of the Pantanal. There are very few other ranches or people around. During the rainy season the only way to get to the Fazenda is to fly in on a small six-seater plane.

For more geographic information on the Pantanal and a detailed map, click here.