number of youngsters and university students, specially during holiday seasons, when a lot of noisy parties and vehicles occupy the local roads. The National Park provides the visitors with outstanding landscapes and ecological attractions, as well as several options of waterfalls and trails. However, visitors should be warned that some strolls and trekking sites may involve long walks in irregular, steep and rough terrain. For this reason, it is advisable that tourists should assess their own physical conditions before selecting longer itineraries. Notwithstanding, very accessible trails and waterfalls are also available at almost all spots of Chapada dos Veadeiros; further information about them can be easily obtained with local inn owners and tourist guides. Seasons and precautions The best season for tourism in the Chapada dos Veadeiros region is the drought period of the cerrado in Goiás, between May and September of each year. During the rainy season, especially between October and March, it is advisable that tourists consult local hotel or inn owners and tourist guides about rain on the river head of some waterfalls, mainly on Vale da Lua. Exceptionally, certain trails may be harder or very distant from the city, involving a moderate level of risk. Hence, one may be obliged to accompany a tourist guide in such situations, for security reasons. In case of doubt, the local Tourist Information Center ("Centro de Atendimento ao Turista" - CAT) should be consulted. Demographics Population density: 2.56 inhabitants/km2 Urban population: 4,585 (2007) Rural population: 2,043 (2007) Population growth rate 1996/2007: 1.87% The economy The economy is based on farming: soybeans (3,800 ha), corn (2000 ha), rice, cattle raising, tourism, and services. The cattle herd was 30,500 in 2006. There are three active banking institutions in the city of Alto Paraíso: Banco Itaú, Banco do Brasil and Caixa Econômica Federal. The ecotourism is also an essential source of development for the region. Agricultural data 2006 Farms: 387 Total area: 189,550 ha. Area of permanent crops: 67,499 ha. Area of perennial crops: 27,433 ha. Area of natural pasture: 36,059 ha. Area of woodland and forests: 14,466 ha. Persons dependent on farming: 940 Number of tractors: 89 Cattle herd: 30,500 IBGE Climate Temperatures in 1,300 meters (city): → Winter temperatures => low: 7 °C/high: 24 °C; → Spring temperatures => low: 13 °C/high: 28 °C; → Summer temperatures => low: 15 °C/high: 25 °C; → Autumn temperatures => low: 9 °C/high: 23