Editing Paraty (section)

=== The Gold Trail ===
After the discovery of the world's richest gold mines in 1696 in the mountains of [[Minas Gerais]], Paraty became an export port for gold to Rio de Janeiro and from there on to [[Portugal]]. The ensuing gold rush led to the construction of the "Caminho do Ouro" or "Gold Trail", a 1200 kilometer road, paved in steep areas with large stones, which connected Paraty to [[Diamantina, Minas Gerais|Diamantina]] via [[Ouro Preto]] and [[Tiradentes, Minas Gerais|Tiradentes]]. Not only was it used to transport gold to Paraty, but it was also used to convey supplies, miners and African slaves by mule train over the mountains to and from the gold mining areas. Two sections of the Caminho do Ouro have been excavated near Paraty and are now a tourist destination for hiking.{{fact|date=December 2018}}

The Gold Trail fell into disuse because of attacks on the gold laden ships bound for Rio de Janeiro by pirates who frequented the islands and coves of the Bay of Angra dos Reis. Eventually a safer overland route from Minas Gerais to Rio de Janeiro was created because of these pirate raids. Finally, the gold itself began to run out in the late 18th century, and Paraty declined.

The Gold Trail was submitted for inclusion on the [[World Heritage List]] in August 2004.

<gallery>
Image:gold trail 5_cropped.jpg|Stones on the Gold Trail
Image:gold trail 12_cropped.jpg|the Gold Trail
Image:gold trail 16_cropped.jpg|Hiking the Gold Trail
Image:gold trail 18-view from  Gold Trail_cropped.jpg|View from the Gold Trail
</gallery>