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About Manaus

 

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.

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.