The plant's thick bark and roots serve as adaptations for the periodic fires which sweep the cerrado landscape. The adaptations protect the plants from destruction and make them capable of sprouting again after the fire. Economy The economy of Luís Eduardo Magalhães is focused on agribusiness. The region is a major producer of cereals (soybeans and corn), coffee, cotton, as well as cattle raising. Irrigation, the level terrain, and the dry climate with well-defined dry and rainy seasons have made Luis Eduardo Magalhaes a leader in agriculture. Farmers and large agricultural companies from all over the world are purchasing large tracts of the region's fertile flat land. Individuals and companies from the USA, Canada, China, Argentina, India, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Netherlands, Germany and Ireland are making substantial investments in the region. The GDP for the city was R$1,003,460,120 (2005). The per capita income for the city was R$22,669 (2005). Education Portuguese language is the official national language, and thus the primary language taught in schools. But English and Spanish are part of the official high school curriculum. Educational institutions Faculdade Arnaldo Horácio Ferreira (FAAHF); Faculdade Luiz Eduardo Magalhães (FILEM); Instituto de Educação Superior Unyahna Luis Eduardo Magalhães (IESULEM). International Farmers in L.E.M. In few years, the region of Luís Eduardo Magalhães has become home to a new community of International farmers. Though some locals have complained about foreigners bidding up land prices, the overseas investors seem to be very welcome. "Absolutely" is how LEM's former mayor, Oziel Oliveira, responded to the question. "They're turning into Brazilians." Distances from Barreiras; from Salvador; from Brasília; from São Paulo. Notes References Municipalities in Bahia