Journey through the Amazon. South American Journey

ESTADO DO AMAZONAS (AM)

Capital - Manaus;

Other cities: Parintins, Itacoatiara, Tefe, Manacapuru.

State official website : http://www.amazonas.am.gov.br

Economy: agriculture, industry, minerals, ecotourism.

Important media : Critica.

Amazonas is the largest Brazilian state, with an area of ​​more than 1,500,000 square meters. km. It is larger than Germany, France, Great Britain and Italy all together; slightly larger than Alaska and larger than California and Texas combined.

The state of Amazonas got its name from the great Amazon River. This name is associated with the legend of the Amazon women, who were, according to legend, the first inhabitants of the area.

The entire state is covered with dense tropical forests. The Amazon Forest is one of the most untouched regions of wilderness in the world. Although much is now known about the rich biodiversity of the forest - one of the richest on earth - it is still a long way from being fully explored and catalogued. In terms of measured length, the Amazon River is the second largest in the world, after the Nile in Egypt. However, in terms of volume of water, nothing comes even close to the Amazon: the Amazon is thought to contribute one quarter of all the fresh water dumped into the world's oceans.

The state capital is Manaus. During the first few decades of the 20th century, when Brazil was a near-monopoly producer of rubber in the world, Manaus was one of the most unusual cities on the planet. Most of the large buildings in Manaus (such as the Opera House) date from this era, and were brought disassembled from Europe. Other important cities are Parintins (the state's second most populous city), Tefe, Manakapura and Itacoatira.

The Amazon and its tributaries are the main transport routes of the state (all important cities are built near the river); It's modern and safe there. Given the width and depth of the Amazon, ocean-going ships easily pass far into the state to Manaus.

The Amazon, as you know, is the longest and deepest river in the world, most of which is located in Brazil, namely the states of Amazonas, Pará and Amapa. Today I’ll tell you how we went to journey through the Amazon to the state of Amazonas and its capital, Manaus, what was interesting and why it’s worth visiting.

Travel through the Amazon jungle by boat in Brazil

First of all, it is interesting to visit there because the Amazon is an amazing region with the greatest diversity of flora and fauna on the planet. And also because it is impossible to understand and get to know Brazil without visiting the Amazon, which, to the surprise of many residents of large cities in the so-called Rio-São Paulo axis, makes up 60% of Brazilian territory. More than half of Brazil's territory is occupied by the Amazon forest (the so-called “Legal Amazon” - Amazônia Legal).

We arrived from Rio de Janeiro to Manaus airport and immediately felt that the air humidity was much higher than in Rio de Janeiro. Since the state of Amazonas is located on the equator, the climate here is humid and hot all year round.

The city of Manaus is an important trading port in the region, as it has a free economic zone in which firms are exempt from taxes on the import and export of goods.

Manaus is the capital of the state of Amazonas, Brazil.

A local attraction is the famous “wedding of the rivers”: the confluence of the Rio Negro and Solimoes rivers, when, in fact, they form a single river - the Amazon. In the Rio Negro, the water is the color of Coca-Cola, and in the Solimoes River it is yellow: both rivers merge, but the waters do not mix, and so they flow separately.

Wedding of the Rio Negro and Solimoes rivers in the Amazon, Brazil

This phenomenon occurs due to the temperature difference in the rivers: the Solimoes River originates in the mountains, in the Andes, and therefore its water is cold and yellow (from the melting of glaciers). The Rio Negro River originates and flows through hot equatorial forests, so its water is warm and the color of Coca-Cola.

If you sail from Manaus by boat, you can see quite poor settlements - towns on stilts. This is the local version of the favelas of Rio de Janeiro.

Towns on stilts in the Amazon, Brazil

What interesting things did we do in this jungle? We caught piranhas (fish), went to the village to visit the local “Indians” (in fact, these are residents of Sao Paulo, dressed as Indians and earning better money here than there), went to watch the “wedding of the rivers”, and spent the last 2 days in Manaus , in the Ponta Negra area (this is the local Leblon) and its wonderful hotel Tropical Manaus. In the jungle they hung a huge anaconda on me.

In the village of local Indians

(port. Brasília). The total area of ​​the state, divided into 62 municipalities, is 1.6 million km².

The agglomeration is home to oil refining, machine-building, textile, woodworking, food-flavoring enterprises and manufacturing firms producing electronic equipment. Manaus is an important educational regional center: the Amazon University and the Institute of Geography and History of the Region are located here.

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Story

During the struggle with the Netherlands for control over the northern territories of Brazil, in 1669 the Portuguese built the fort “São José do Rio Negro” (port. São Josе do Rio Negro) on the coast (port. Amazonas), in a place where its width reaches several tens of kilometers. The armament of the stone fortress consisted of only 4 cannons. For more than 100 years in these places, a small fortification was the only island of civilization. Gradually a settlement grew around the fort.

In 1832, the village, the main population of which was mestizos, was renamed Manaus, later, on October 24, 1848, it received the status of a city and a new name - “Cidade da Barra do Rio Negro”, and on September 4, 1856, its former name was returned to it Name.

The dramatic history of the city is closely connected with Hevea - the main natural rubber plant. The sticky blackish substance called rubber has been familiar to Europeans since the time of . The Spanish conquistadors had already seen Indian children playing with rubber balls. But after Goodyer invented vulcanization in 1840, the real hunt for rubber began.

The emerging era of the automobile at the end of the 19th century. demanded rubber for tires, the world began to need rubber, which only the Amazon provided. Thanks to the rapid development of the rubber industry (“rubber fever”), in 1879 - 1912. the region gained worldwide fame. Crowds of adventurers flocked to the tiny village surrounded by the jungle, driven by a passionate desire to instantly get rich. The Indians, the masters who bought cheap bright trinkets, fabrics and whiskey, soon became dependent on the greedy white newcomers.

There were still not enough workers - the mortality rate among non-white slaves was extremely high. Then the recruiters got down to business: money, alcohol and fabulous promises lured thousands of rubber tappers, filled with rosy hopes, into the heart of the Amazon. But the majority of “seringueiros” were destined to perish in the jungle from overwork, exhaustion, Beri-Beri disease (vitaminosis B1), or to die from an Indian’s arrow. Meanwhile, the “Rubber Kings” made millions of fortunes, the local “Red Light District” became one of the largest in the world - in 1911, ¾ of the houses were public institutions.

« Rubber barons“, dreaming of transforming Manaus into a European-style city, they spent huge amounts of money on its improvement and attracting world celebrities. Money flowed in a powerful stream, the city was actively built up. In 1896, the Amazonas Opera House was opened, and many world stars sought to appear on its stage.

In those heydays, the city was called “South American” or “Tropical” Paris; it became the second settlement in Brazil where electricity appeared, and the first in , where a trolleybus and tram were launched.

The fairy tale ended when, contrary to the ban, the Englishman Witham secretly took the seeds of the Hevea (lat. Hevea brasiliensis) to Southeast Asia. Very soon, the rubber trees of Colombo and Singapore began to produce 4 times more rubber than their Amazonian ancestors, while it cost 3 times (!) less. As a result, prices for rubber on the world market fell sharply, putting an end to the “rubber boom.” This caused enormous damage to the entire region, the population decreased significantly, and many objects built during times of prosperity were abandoned.

The stagnation that set in the economy of Manaus turned South American Paris into a “dead city.” However, the infrastructure created in prosperous times served as the foundation for the rapid development of the region today.

If it were not for the jungle surrounding Manaus on three sides, it could be mistaken for a European city. Cozy shady streets, well-groomed public gardens, ancient palaces, countless shops of small artisans selling simple traditional goods.

But in 10-15 min. A leisurely walk from the center, on the banks of the Amazon, Indian huts on stilts, covered with palm leaves, perched.

Geographical and climatic conditions

The agglomeration is located on, near the confluence (port. Rio Negro) into the Amazon, the longest river in the world.

The state of Amazonas is located on the border of two climatic zones: monsoon and equatorial. The local climate is characterized by high temperatures and high humidity throughout the year. In summer (December – May) there are frequent showers. Winter (June – November) is usually dry and hot (from +37°C to +40°C).

Air temperature varies slightly throughout the year, the annual average is about +28°C (with an average max of +32°C and an average min of +24°C).

Population

The ethnic composition of the urban population, numbering about 1.8 million people (the size of the agglomeration is about 3.5 million), is as follows:

• Caboclo (port. Caboclo; from Tupi “caa-boc” - “coming out of the forest”), Portuguese-Indian mestizos - 63.9%;
• white, descendants of European migrants - 31.9%;
• blacks, descendants of African slaves - 2.4%.

Most residents are adherents of the Catholic faith, and there are also numerous representations of various Protestant religious movements in the region.

Economy

Bird's eye view of Manaus

Historically, the basis of the economy of Manaus was the extraction of rubber. After the end of the rubber boom, which led to a severe economic downturn, the Brazilian parliament decided in 1951 to declare the state capital free economic zone, to support the agglomeration from impoverishment and give it a second wind. The corresponding law, which gave the city a new status, came into force in 1957.

Gradually, Manaus acquired a powerful differentiated economy, based on wood processing, petrochemicals and electronics. Today, a large Brazilian technology park operates here, producing electronics for the whole country, especially computer equipment and mobile phones. The city has become the largest industrial center of the state; the only oil refinery in the region operates here.

Today it is the commercial, financial and industrial center of the vast Amazon basin.

The traditional collection of Hevea juice and the collection of Brazil nuts continue to provide employment for many residents of the region.

In recent years, ecotourism has become increasingly important in the economy of the agglomeration.

Transport

14 km. located north of the state capital International Airport Eduardo Gomes(port. Aeroporto Internacional Eduardo Gomes), which is 3rd in the country in terms of cargo turnover. From here there are regular passenger flights to all major cities in Brazil, as well as to Miami (USA) and Panama.

In Manaus, 2 federal highways originate: the first leads to (port. Boa Vista), the second - to the south (port. Porto Velho).

Sea vessels enter the city port, although it is located 1.5 thousand km away. from the Atlantic coast.

Buses of various sizes and taxis operate, and several light rail lines are planned. The river transport system is well established.

Main attractions and entertainment

Manaus is one of the most colorful cities in Brazil, where history and modernity, pristine nature and civilization, luxury and poverty are closely intertwined. A trip to the capital of the mysterious state of Amazonas, to the distant shores of Brazil, will give every tourist a lot of impressions.

Due to its location among the Amazon rainforest, it is the main starting point for numerous excursion destinations in the region, which attracts a significant number of tourists.

Those who decide to spend their holidays here will not be bored. There is a lot of interesting things for everyone: colorful streets with historical houses decorated with national blue ceramics
“azulejos” (port. Azulejo); traditional floating markets; a wide variety of museums, lush parks and gardens.

It is worth visiting the City Market (port. Mercado Municipal Adolpho Lisboa), built in 1882; see the customs building (port. Edifício da Alfandega) and Rio Negro Palace(port. Palacio Rio Negro). Theatergoers will be interested in visiting the famous opera house Amazonas Theater(port. Teatro Amazonas), on whose stage during its heyday the brightest world stars performed: with unprecedented fees, the “rubber barons” tempted them to perform in the Amazon wilds. Now this theater is the main attraction of the city. The building's frescoes were made by Italian craftsmen, the furniture was brought from France, the marble was from Italy, and the cast iron decorations were made in England. The walls of the theater remember the voice of Enrique Caruso and the divine art of dance of Anna Pavlova.

Amazonas Theater

For lovers of a fun nightlife, the city has many restaurants, discos, bars, cafes and all kinds of night clubs.

Museums

For those who wish to learn more about the history of the Amazon, Manaus has several popular museums: the Indian Museum, with an extensive collection of exhibits about the culture of the local peoples; the Natural History Museum of the Amazon, which houses a rich display of embalmed animals and an impressive collection of insects; Northern Man Museum, which displays a collection of objects illustrating the culture and lifestyle of the local population; Porto de Manaus Museum, which contains numerous historical documents and photographs telling the history of the port and navigation in the Amazon, as well as drawings, sketches and tools belonging to the British who built the port area here in 1904.

There are always a lot of visitors in Museo Tirandentes(port. Museu Tiradentes - military police museum), where you can see old photographs, statues, weapons, uniforms and award medals dating back to the 16th century.

Nature lovers will be interested in an excursion to the Amazon Natural Museum, which houses an amazing collection of local animals, birds and fish, insects and a variety of butterflies. Some of the “fish” reach 2 m in length and weigh up to 150 kg.

Natural attractions in Manaus

Thanks to its location, Manaus has become a center for eco-tourism. Particular attention of tourists is attracted by the Ponta Negra coast - the coast of the Rio Negro. The name of the river is translated as “Black River” for good reason - the color of the water in it is very dark. During the period when the river level drops, the sands contrast amazingly beautifully with the dark water, forming unique abstract paintings.

The nature of the Amazon River basin is unique; the National Research Institute of the Amazon is located here, which is a complex of botanical gardens that display numerous animals and plants living in the region.

Only in Manaus, in the place where (Spanish Río Negro - “Black River”; the largest tributary of the Amazon), merges with (port. Rio Solimoes; section of the Amazon River in its upper reaches), one can observe another extraordinary natural phenomenon, known as “Meeting of Waters” or “Wedding of Rivers”. The waters of the Rio Negro, saturated with suspended matter of natural minerals, are black in color. In Rio Solimões, the water is cloudy and has a milky tint. The temperature of the waters is different, therefore, when the Rio Negro flows into the Amazon, the flows of the two rivers do not mix for almost 2 km.

Botanical Garden, spread over an area of ​​more than 100 km², is famous for its rich collection of plants and trees that grow only in the Amazon. There are many picturesque walking trails in the garden for tourists.

The only place in the world where you can still admire a very rare species of funny macaques, Uim-de-coleira, is Mindu Municipal Park(port. Parque do Mindu), founded in 1989. The protected area of ​​the park, which occupies about 42 hectares, presents almost the entire diversity of the Amazonian fauna.

Curious facts

• Manaus, located in the heart of Brazil, rises and falls in accordance with changes in the overall mass of the Amazon river waters. The amplitude of this phenomenal phenomenon reaches almost 8 cm. During the rainy season, the Amazon basin subsides, and during the dry season, the entire region rises as water flow decreases and the water level drops by 15 m. The possibility of this process is ensured by the elasticity of the earth's crust.

Amazonas is a state in northwestern Brazil.

Description of the state of Amazonas

The name of the state of Amazonus comes from the Amazon River, the main river of the state and all of South America. The administrative center of the state is the city of Manaus.

Amazonas can easily be called the most unique state in Brazil. After all, its territory contains half of all tropical forests on the planet. Therefore, there are a lot of different animals here. In addition, during the years of the “rubber rush,” Amazonas was able to greatly strengthen its economic position, which allowed it to develop even after the fall in demand for rubber.

History of Amazonas

The indigenous inhabitants of Amazonas were Indian tribes who did not lead a sedentary lifestyle. It was with them that the first colonists encountered when they began to explore the lands of the state. Moreover, the first colonists were monks who tried to coexist peacefully with the Indians. They farmed peacefully and sought to make devout Catholics out of the Indians.

It was only in the 18th century that Spanish and Portuguese adventurers flocked en masse to the central regions of the mainland. By this time, all coastal lands had been developed. As a result, armed conflicts constantly broke out between the Portuguese and the Spaniards for control of one or another interior region of South America. Only in 1750, an agreement was concluded between these countries, according to which Amazonas became a Portuguese colony.

And in 1822, Brazil got rid of the power of the metropolis. As a result, Amazonas becomes part of independent Brazil. And the capital of the state in 1850 was the city of Manaus. In 1879, the “rubber fever” began. The state began to prosper due to the export of rubber. The local elite invested easy money in luxurious mansions that were built in the state capital. In addition, money was also used to develop the state’s infrastructure. After all, only with the development of infrastructure it was possible to get greater profits from the export of rubber.

But after the demand for rubber fell, an economic crisis began in the state. But a developed infrastructure remained here, which became the key to the state’s economy emerging from the crisis. Nowadays it is a fairly developed state economically. Almost all industrial enterprises are concentrated in its capital. Well, most of the state is the property of nature reserves and national parks. In total, 33 nature reserves have been created here. After all, the tropical forest is the main attraction of the state.

Holidays in Amazonas

Amazonas attracts lovers of ecotourism. The state's pristine rainforests beckon. In addition, houses on stilts have been built along the river in protected areas so that tourists can spend the night in them rather than in tents. It should be noted here that in the Amazonas there are wild places where tourists can only enter after written permission from local authorities. We can also say that in the forests of Amazonas, scientists are constantly finding more and more new species of plants.

Governor

Jose Melo de Oliveira

GDP()
GDP per capita Population ()

3,483,985 people (15th place)

Density Timezone ISO 3166-2 code Coordinates: 5°00′ S w. 63°00′w. d. /  5.000° S w. 63.000° W. d. / -5.000; -63.000 (G) (I)

The name of the state comes from the Amazon River - the main river not only of Amazonas, but of all of South America.

Amazonas is Brazil's largest state by area; it occupies more than 18% of the country's territory in the least developed part of the Amazon River basin, overgrown with evergreen equatorial forests. Amazonas is larger than Germany, France, Great Britain and Italy combined.

Geography

The state's territory is crossed by the equator, with most of it located in the Southern Hemisphere. From west to east, the full-flowing Amazon River and many of its tributaries flow through the territory of Amazonas. All major rivers in the state are navigable and are the main transport routes of the state. All important cities of Amazonas are built near rivers.

The Amazonas is a hilly plain, much of which is swampy. Only in the north of the state is the mountainous Serra Imeri - the southern edge of the Guiana Highlands. 70% of the Amazonas territory is covered with dense forests and 30% of the territory is forest-steppe.

Administrative structure

Amazonas is part of the Brazilian Federation and has the same rights as the rest of the states of Brazil.

Administratively, the state is divided into 4 mesoregions and 13 microregions. There are 62 municipalities in the state.

Economy

Industry

In addition, Manaus is home to the only oil refinery in the Amazon. To supply the city with electricity, the Balbina hydroelectric power station with a capacity of 50 MW was launched on the Uatuman River in 2003.

Mining

Large reserves of peat have been found on the Amazon islands.

Agriculture

The state has developed livestock farming, in particular cattle breeding, as well as pig farming, sheep farming, horse breeding, poultry farming, quail and rabbit breeding.

Crops such as corn, rice, soybeans, beans, pineapples, watermelons, pomegranates, potatoes are grown; plantations of bananas, sugar cane, guarana, oranges, coffee, and coconuts are cultivated.

Forestry and Fisheries

In addition to catching edible fish, crustaceans and collecting shellfish, Amazonas also catches exotic (“ornamental”) tropical fish, exported to foreign aquarists at a rate of 20 million per year.

Sport

The state capital, Manaus, was one of 12 Brazilian cities to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

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Notes

Links

• - article in the Around the World encyclopedia.

Excerpt characterizing Amazonas

“You’re lying, master,” he shouted to Nikolai. Nikolai galloped all the horses and overtook Zakhar. The horses covered the faces of their riders with fine, dry snow, and near them there was the sound of frequent rumblings and the tangling of fast-moving legs and the shadows of the overtaking troika. The whistling of runners through the snow and women's squeals were heard from different directions.
Stopping the horses again, Nikolai looked around him. All around was the same magical plain soaked through with moonlight with stars scattered across it.
“Zakhar shouts for me to take a left; why go left? thought Nikolai. Are we going to the Melyukovs, is this Melyukovka? God knows where we are going, and God knows what is happening to us - and it is very strange and good what is happening to us.” He looked back at the sleigh.
“Look, he has a mustache and eyelashes, everything is white,” said one of the strange, pretty and alien people with a thin mustache and eyebrows.
“This one, it seems, was Natasha,” thought Nikolai, and this one is m me Schoss; or maybe not, but I don’t know who this Circassian with the mustache is, but I love her.”
-Aren't you cold? - he asked. They did not answer and laughed. Dimmler shouted something from the back sleigh, probably funny, but it was impossible to hear what he was shouting.
“Yes, yes,” the voices answered laughing.
- However, here is some kind of magical forest with shimmering black shadows and sparkles of diamonds and with some kind of enfilade of marble steps, and some kind of silver roofs of magical buildings, and the piercing squeal of some animals. “And if this really is Melyukovka, then it’s even stranger that we were traveling God knows where, and came to Melyukovka,” thought Nikolai.
Indeed, it was Melyukovka, and girls and lackeys with candles and joyful faces ran out to the entrance.
- Who it? - they asked from the entrance.
“The counts are dressed up, I can see it by the horses,” answered the voices.

Pelageya Danilovna Melyukova, a broad, energetic woman, wearing glasses and a swinging hood, was sitting in the living room, surrounded by her daughters, whom she tried not to let get bored. They were quietly pouring wax and looking at the shadows of the emerging figures when the footsteps and voices of visitors began to rustle in the hallway.
Hussars, ladies, witches, payassas, bears, clearing their throats and wiping their frost-covered faces in the hallway, entered the hall, where candles were hastily lit. The clown - Dimmler and the lady - Nikolai opened the dance. Surrounded by screaming children, the mummers, covering their faces and changing their voices, bowed to the hostess and positioned themselves around the room.
- Oh, it’s impossible to find out! And Natasha! Look who she looks like! Really, it reminds me of someone. Eduard Karlych is so good! I didn't recognize it. Yes, how she dances! Oh, fathers, and some kind of Circassian; right, how it suits Sonyushka. Who else is this? Well, they consoled me! Take the tables, Nikita, Vanya. And we sat so quietly!
- Ha ha ha!... Hussar this, hussar that! Just like a boy, and his legs!... I can’t see... - voices were heard.
Natasha, the favorite of the young Melyukovs, disappeared with them into the back rooms, where they needed cork and various dressing gowns and men's dresses, which through the open door received the naked girlish hands from the footman. Ten minutes later, all the youth of the Melyukov family joined the mummers.
Pelageya Danilovna, having ordered the clearing of the place for the guests and refreshments for the gentlemen and servants, without taking off her glasses, with a restrained smile, walked among the mummers, looking closely into their faces and not recognizing anyone. Not only did she not recognize the Rostovs and Dimmler, but she also could not recognize either her daughters or her husband’s robes and uniforms that they were wearing.
-Whose is this? - she said, turning to her governess and looking into the face of her daughter, who represented the Kazan Tatar. - It seems like someone from Rostov. Well, Mr. Hussar, what regiment do you serve in? – she asked Natasha. “Give the Turk, give the Turk some marshmallows,” she said to the bartender who was serving them: “this is not prohibited by their law.”
Sometimes, looking at the strange but funny steps performed by the dancers, who had decided once and for all that they were dressed up, that no one would recognize them and therefore were not embarrassed, Pelageya Danilovna covered herself with a scarf, and her entire corpulent body shook from the uncontrollable, kind, old lady’s laughter . - Sashinet is mine, Sashinet is that! - she said.
After Russian dances and round dances, Pelageya Danilovna united all the servants and gentlemen together, in one large circle; They brought a ring, a string and a ruble, and general games were arranged.
An hour later, all the suits were wrinkled and upset. Cork mustaches and eyebrows were smeared across sweaty, flushed and cheerful faces. Pelageya Danilovna began to recognize the mummers, admired how well the costumes were made, how they suited especially the young ladies, and thanked everyone for making her so happy. The guests were invited to dine in the living room, and the courtyard was served in the hall.
- No, guessing in the bathhouse, that’s scary! - said the old girl who lived with the Melyukovs at dinner.
- From what? – asked the eldest daughter of the Melyukovs.
- Don’t go, you need courage...
“I’ll go,” said Sonya.
- Tell me, how was it with the young lady? - said the second Melyukova.
“Yes, just like that, one young lady went,” said the old girl, “she took a rooster, two utensils, and sat down properly.” She sat there, just heard, suddenly she was driving... with bells, with bells, a sleigh drove up; hears, comes. He comes in completely in human form, like an officer, he came and sat down with her at the device.
- A! Ah!...” Natasha screamed, rolling her eyes in horror.
- How can he say that?
- Yes, as a person, everything is as it should be, and he began and began to persuade, and she should have occupied him with conversation until the roosters; and she became shy; – she just became shy and covered herself with her hands. He picked it up. It's good that the girls came running...
- Well, why scare them! - said Pelageya Danilovna.
“Mother, you yourself were guessing...” said the daughter.
- How do they tell fortunes in the barn? – asked Sonya.