Amazonas

Understand

It is named after the Amazon River. Its capital, Manaus, is a bustling modern city right in the middle of the Amazon Rainforest. The Amazon Rainforest is the largest rainforest in the world and is of great ecological significance, as its biomass is capable of absorbing enormous amounts of carbon dioxide. Conservation of the Amazon Rainforest is a major global issue. Amazonas is home to the highest mountain in Brazil (Pico da Neblina). Its economy was once reliant almost entirely upon salt; today it has wide and varied industries, including the farming of cassava, oranges, and other agricultural products. It is estimated that the Amazon Region shelters about 2.5 million species of insects, thousands of species of plants, approximately 2,000 species of fish, about 950 species of birds and some 200 species of mammals. It rains a lot from December to May, embellishing the city's waterfalls. For the rest of the year, when there is less rain, fluvial beaches are formed on the Negro River. Amazonas is also the home of around 200,000 Brazilian native Indians.

Getting there

By plane The Eduardo Gomes International Airport (MAO IATA) receives domestic flights and flights from some Latin America cities, Miami, Orlando and others. Tabatinga International Airport (TBT IATA)

By car Road access from the south, southwest, midwest, and northeast regions is to Belém, capital of the State of Pará. From there, the trip takes 96 hours by boat or river ferry to Manaus, over the Pará and Amazonas rivers. There is a paved road connecting Manaus to Boa Vista, capital of the State of Roraima, and to Venezuela. In most places in the north, trips are made by boat and by plane using regional airlines. There are also road connections between Manaus and neighboring cities.

Getting around

There are few roads. Most of the time you will have to take a boat or, where possible, fly.

See

The Amazon forest. The ecological tourism is the great attraction of the tours through the Amazon. The most sought-after tours include the Reserve of Mamirauá and Humaitá, where the greatest attraction is the sport fishing in Roosevelt River. The tours include boat rides, overnight at forest lodges and forest hikes. Most of the tours has a specialized guide. Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve. It is one of the largest flooded forest reservations in the world, with 1.1 million hectares, and up to 80 continuous kilometers of flooded area. In this reservation, more than 300 species of fishes were identified, including ornamental fish such as the acará-disk. In addition, about 400 species of birds and at least 45 species of mammals live in the reservation's area. Among other protected animals is the white uacari monkey (Cacajao calvus calvus), which can only be found in this area. This reservation shows important tropical hard wood species such as sumaumeiras and assacus, which can reach up to 40 meters in length. Rio Acajatuba. Acajatuba River, a tributary of the Rio Negro (Black River), in the city limit of Iranduba, approximately 41 km (32 miles) away from the capital Manaus. It is near the world's largest complex of river islands, Anavilhanas Archipelago (over 400 islands) and the legendary Boiaçu Bay, which according to the legends, is the home of a gigantic snake. Transportation is mainly through regional boats. It takes approximately 3 hours by boat.

Do

Check local arts and crafts. The Forest inhabitants and members of Indian tribes produce baskets, hammocks, knick knacks and ornaments using regional seeds, vines, fibers and wood. There are many places, specially in Manaus, where one can find arts and crafts stores.

Eat

Local cuisine is rich and varied and can be found in many Amazon cities. You may try tapioquinha, a glutinous pancake made from manioc starch, usually buttered and filled with tucumã palm fruit and farmer's cheese. Or tacacá, an Amazon local soup. Or pamonha, made from green corn and coconut milk boiled in corn husks. Or bolo de macaxeira, a tasty but heavy glutinous translucent oily cake made from manioc. Or sugar cane juice, a favorite drink among locals. The region is also known for its exotic fruits like creamy white capuaçú and iron-rich açaí.