A LOCALIDADE RURAL DE ÁGUAS DO MIRANDA, MATO GROSSO DO SUL: CULTURA, TURISMO E IDENTIDADE TERRITORIAL

Abstract

The present dissertation aimed to conduct a geographical analysis of the district of Águas do Miranda, located on the banks of the Miranda River, at the border between the municipalities of Bonito and Anastácio, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. The study encompasses the historical, socioeconomic, and cultural development of the locality, from its initial settlement in the 1940s untill the present day. Águas do Miranda, initially structured around fishing, has undergone a slow transformation process, driven in recent years by the growth of fishing tourism and the improvement of its urban infrastructure. This research aims to highlight the importance of fishing and tourism as the main sources of income for the local community, as well as to identify issues of cultural identity and the political and administrative interactions between the district and the municipality of Bonito-MS. The paving of the MS-345 highway is analyzed as a potential factor for regional space transformation, which could accelerate economic development and expand the exploitation of rural heritage. The methodology includes a literature review, field research with interviews and direct observation, aiming to map the socioeconomic dynamics and the population's perception of territorial boundaries and cultural identity. After data collection, it is suggested that there is a continuous process of improving the quality of life in the district, although challenges such as the seasonality of fishing and infrastructure still persist. The research concluded that the paving of the MS-345 highway could promote new spatial planning and strengthen tourism, in addition to encouraging the debate on the political-administrative emancipation of the district by the population.