IBGE Classifies Mountains as a Separate Category on Brazil’s New Relief Map

Overview

• The IBGE published the updated Macrocompartments of Relief map after a four-year, multi‑institution project that formally adds a “mountains” class to the national classification.
• The map defines a mountain as a landform with at least 300 meters of relative elevation, angular or triangular summits, and steep slopes, criteria agreed by about 70 researchers.
• The new classification covers areas in 20 states but occupies under 2% of Brazil’s territory, with Minas Gerais holding roughly 37–40% of the mapped mountain area and mountains making up about 10.2% of that state.
• Park managers and environmental agencies have already begun using the map to improve monitoring, plan access and routes for firefighting and to design safer trails in units such as Parque Estadual da Serra do Rola‑Moça.
• The IBGE intends the product as a reference for textbooks, research and territorial planning and the standardized terms replace older local nomenclature like 'serras' to align Brazil with international geomorphology usage.