About
Manaus
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Manaus
is the capital of the Brazilian State of Amazonas
and the largest city in this region (and has been since
1850). The city is a thriving industrial center, and
a busy seaport located 900 miles from the Atlantic Ocean.
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Historically,
it was a center for the booming trade in natural rubber,
which took place in the late 1800s. The rubber boom has
passed, but Manaus was designated as a free trade zone in
the late '60s. Today the city is the heart of a bustling
trade and industrial area which supports a population of
over one million people. Manaus is home to sophisticated
technology and communications industries, such as SHARP,
NOKIA, PHILIPS, and SONY. A gold rush in the Amazon also
increased Manaus' importance as a central Amazon trading
center.
Manaus
is an ethnically diverse city with a rich European history
and architecture that has recently been renovated, including
the famous Opera House. A walk around the downtown area
at any time will have you bump into a diverse crowd made
out of native Brazilians from all parts of the country,
Indigenous people, and also Europeans, Asians, and North
Americans.
The
city is surrounded by he forest, and an ecosystem so diverse
that we have yet to fully describe it. Despite many traditional
and modern shopping areas, museums and historical sites,
the real attractions are the surrounding rain forests, river
tours, jungle lodges, and opportunities for Eco-Travel and
expeditions. A visit to its fresh food market is a must.
