Mato Grosso do Sul

Mato Grosso do Sul (pron. IPA: ['ma.tu 'gɾo.su du suw] [1]) is one of the states of Brazil. Neighbouring states are (from north clockwise) Mato Grosso, Goiás, Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Paraná. It also borders the countries of Paraguay and Bolivia to the west. Mato Grosso do Sul literally means "Southern Thick Forest", a name inherited from its northern neighbour state of Mato Grosso, of which it was part until split in the 70s. It is not uncommon for people to mistakenly refer to Mato Grosso do Sul as simply "Mato Grosso", which has prompted the government to consider changing its name to "Pantanal", a reference to its best known geographical feature.