Cuiaba is the capital of the Brazilian State of Mata Grosso. It is located in the exact center of South America and has a population of approximately 510,000 people. The town of Cuiaba is in the transition zone between three of the most characteristic Brazilian ecosystems: Amazonia, Cerrado, and Pantanal. It is also close to the mountain range known as Chapada dos Guimaraes (which blocks polar masses and causes the extremely hot weather). Cuiaba is also known as the southern gate to the Amazon.