The agreste (Portuguese pronunciation: [aˈɡɾɛʃti]) is a narrow zone of Brazil in the states of Rio Grande do Norte Paraíba, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Sergipe and Bahia between the coastal forest zona da mata and the semiarid sertão. The agreste fades out after it reaches Rio Grande do Norte due to the break of the mountain-chain that blocks air currents from the Atlantic ocean. This barrier is what induces high rainfalls in the coastal Atlantic forest zone.
Most of the agreste is hilly, its hills becoming higher at south, except near the narrow valley of São Francisco River. This land is mostly used for mixed farming, prevailing fruits, of which melons have especial importance. Like the sertão, the agreste is frequently affected by drought, though generally with less severe effects.
The climate is hot and sub-humid, with rainfall in the area's principal city of Campina Grande averaging about 700 millimetres per year - ranging from less than 10 millimetres in October and November to about 120 millimetres in May and June.
Beneath the light of a slaughter-sun
In grim inexorable might we come
To cleanse the earth again
Wearing the iron crown of genocide.
And when we come to claim you
Wearing the iron crown of genocide
Deathshead legion
Slaughter of innocence...
Washed away...
Wahed away,
Into the ovens once again
And now you see all that you have dear
All that gave you joy in your life
Rendered obsolete
As our new day dawns
This time