The north of Brazil offers unique opportunities. There are 7 states in this region: Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima and Tocantins The Amazon is the largest biological reserve in the world and has unparalleled natural resources, as well as one third of the planet's living species. The rivers of the Amazon Basin, through which one- fifth of the world's fresh water flows, are "roads" that lead to the heart of the jungle. Ten of the twenty largest rivers on earth are located int the Amazon River Basin. One of them is the Amazon River, which is 4,087 miles long.
The jungle lodges provide comfort and safety for those who wish to explore the flora and fauna on long river cruises. The Amazon folklore and the typical regional cuisine are also special attractions. The Boi-bumbá festival, held in Parintins in June, heats up the long-standing rivalries between the different indignous groups. The feathered art of the Indians, as well as the Marajó Island and Tapajós tribal pottery can be found in the popular Ver-o-Peso market, in Belém, Pará. In Manaus, the free-trade zone is a haven for buying duty free electronics. In this state capital, you can visit the exquisite 19th century renaissance style Amazon Theatre.
| State |
Cities |
Acre
Amapá
Amazonas
Pará
Rondônia
Roraima
Tocantins |
Rio Branco
Macapá
Manaus
Belém
Porto Velho
Boa Vista
Palmas |
Manaus & the Amazon
The Amazonian region of Brazil encompassing the states of Amazonas and Pará is twelve times the size of Italy and accounts for 42% of the country's total area. The state of Amazonas is almost five times larger than the unified Germany. The region preserves the largest continuous area of tropical forest in the world. It comprises one-tenth of the planet's entire plant and animal species, produces one-fifth of the world's oxygen and its river system contains one-fifth of the fresh water on earth. The forest still keeps many of its secrets: To this day major tributaries of the River Amazonas are unexplored. Scientists claim the existence of approximately 50,000 plant species in the Amazon, of which only 30,000 have already been classified. Furthermore it is estimated that Amazonian rivers are home to some 2,500 fish species. At least 550 species of mammals live in the Amazon region, of which more than 60 are exclusive to the region. Approxiamtely 5,000 of the 20,000 butterfly species identified on the planet are native to the region and there are 950 bird species that make Amazonia into the richest bird sanctuary in the world.
The last thing one might expect in the middle of the Amazon jungle, 1,600 kilometres (1,000 miles) from the sea, is a thriving modern port city: The city of Manaus lies 3º south of the equator, on the northern bank of the River Negro.
Where conquistadors once searched in vain for gol |
