Encompassing an area over 900 thousand km2, which extends throughout the operational area of Banco do Nordeste – the Northeast Region, North of Minas Gerais and of Espírito Santo – the semi-arid has characteristics which make it an open forum for receipt of investment.

With a range of natural resources, the semi-arid offers land with good surface and subterranean waters, as well as soil resources ideal for irrigated agriculture, in conditions which compete with other semi-arid regions of the world.

Regarding the vegetation, called caatinga, the Region has given rise to several species with genetic variation, especially multi-purpose species, highlighting grazing.

The characteristics of the semi-arid make it a unique environment in the world and offer extremely promising potential. In addition to the caatinga, there are several typically semi-arid eco-systems with their own flora, fauna and landscape.