Manaus, the capital of Amazonas

Manaus, the capital of Amazonas

Beyond the meeting of the waters, many people can´t believe that inside the Amazonian rainforest there´s this industrial two-million people city on the shores of the Rio Negro (Black River).

Manaus is the capital of the Amazonas State, the biggest State in land extension of Brazil and for sure bigger than most countries in the world.  

Manaus is the economic hub of the North Region of Brazil, which comprises other 6 states. It is an industrial city, due to tax incentives implemented during the military dictatorship in Brazil (during the 60s-80s), but kept so far. Though many people inside and outside Brazil criticise this system, others claim that this industrial model with tax incentives kept people inside the city, avoiding the colonization of the countryside and, thus, the deforestation of the Amazonian rainforest in the Amazonas State. From cell phones to motorbikes and plasma TVs, many industries are placed in the city.

For tourists not travelling just for business, the most interesting attraction in the city is its historic centre. It hosts the Amazonas Theater, a huge european-style theatre built during the rubber economic cycle.

By the end of the XIX century and beggining of the XX, demand for rubber skyrocketed in the world, and the Amazonas became its main source. 

So Manaus experienced a time of great prosperity, when suntuous buildings rose in the city. Unfortunately, when the british started to produce rubber in southeast Asia, Manaus lost its wealth for long time. 

But it is amazing to find this impressive theatre in the middle of the jungle, hosting operas, lyric presentations and shows. 

Manaus and the shores of the Negro

Manaus´historic centre

Manaus´historic centre