Geomorphology of the Northeast Region of Brazil

The Brazilian Northeast, comprising 1,600,000 km2 and nine States (Alagoas, Bahia, Ceará, Maranhão, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte, Sergipe), has an enormous diversity of geomorphological landscapes. Despite the wealth of relief, the available studies do not present, in detail, the regional geomorphological elements. However, it is necessary to allow the advancement of geographic science and related areas, create appropriate processes for the use and occupation of geographic space, guide land-use planning and environmental planning, and encourage conservationist practices. The chapters, written by the best geomorphological specialists in each segment, present unique, rich, and unpublished material that treats the reality of the geomorphological landscape in the Brazilian Northeast. It starts with a theoretical discussion on advances in the analysis of geomorphology by State, showing an unprecedented and functional geographic division.

Vanda de Claudino-Sales holds a degree in geography from the University of Brasilia-Brazil, an specialization in coastal geology at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul-Brazil, a master’s degree in physical geography  at the University of São Paulo- Brazil, a Ph.D. in geography at the Université Paris-Sorbonne-France, and post-doctoral studies in coastal geomorphology  at the University of Florida-USA. She is a professor of the Department of Geography of the Federal University of Ceara and was a visiting professor at the University of Florida, at the University Paris-Sorbonne, and at the  Acaraú Valley State University . She is  the regional vice president of the Coastal Education and Research Foundation (CERF, USA), and is an environmentalist, having been in the movement for the preservation of the environment for over 40 years.José Falcão Sobrinho is a geographer, holding a post-doctorate in geography from the Federal University of Ceará, Brazil,  and a Ph.D. in physical geography from the University of São Paulo Brazil. He is an associate professor of  Acaraú Valley State University,  the leader of the research and extension network of the semiarid region, and a research productivity fellow at CNPq (Level 2). He deals with geomorphology and erosion processes