Amazon
The Amazon basin is 6 million sq km of river and jungle of witch 3.6 million sq km are in Brazil. The state “Amazonas” is an area of 1.58 million sq km its Brazil’s largest state with the main city Manaus.
The Amazon basin is so big and overwhelming that every traveller coming from here has respect for the nature. More than half the living creatures until now discovered, are living in the tropical rainforest of the Amazon. There are 50.000 different flowering plants. On every hectare rainforest stand 600 different tree species. There are two seasons the dry and the wed. In December until May/June we have the rain season and from July until November there is the dry season. Because of these two seasons there is low water in August until February and high water in March until July.
The Amazon is words biggest rainforest. This rainforest covert more than 40% of Brazils landmass and is the home of more than 1.800 species of birds and 250 kinds of mammals. The Amazon rainforest is responsible for 50% of the total oxygen production in the world. The Amazon river and it’s branches offers more than 20 % of the total freshwater offer of the world. From the 20 biggest rivers in the world, there are 10 in the Amazon basin. The Amazon river it self is more than 6.500 km long where from 3.600 km trough Brazil. Not a surprise that most supply routes running via the river and boats are the most imported way of transport.
Urubu river
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The tours are going to Urubu river (Rio Urubu) about 200km North East of Manaus. This river has dark water like the Rio Negro. Urubu river starts close to Presidente Figueiredo a city about 110 km North of Manaus. The river runs for many km’s before reaching the Amazone River. There is a big difference between the North part and the South part of the river. The further you go down stream the eco system will change. Reason for this is the Ph of the water. In the North the Ph is high a good thing come with this is that there are less mosquitoes. To the South the Ph will be les, more mosquitoes will be there but also more wildlife witch is easier to see than in the North. In the North there is highland jungle and in the South it change to wetlands (like the Pantanal) in combination with the jungle. Different seasons are causing a change of the water level. When the rain starts soon there will be the Igapo (flooded forest). With a small boat it’s possible to go through the Igarapes (channels cutting through the jungle) Sometimes so narrow that the forest may brush your face. |
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Manaus
A city with 1.4 million inhabitants, on the north bank of the Rio Negro. 10 km upstream from the negro’s confluence with the Solimoes, beyond witch the mighty combined river is called the Amazon river. Manaus is hot and humid. Manaus is located 1,450km inland from the Atlantic coast in the hart of the Amazon rain forest. As a major inland port (reached by ocean going vessels from the Atlantic) it is a collecting and distribution centre for the river areas of the upper Amazon. Principal exports include rubber, Brazil nuts, rosewood oil, jute, and a host of minor forest products, cordage and coffee sacks are made from jute. Manaus industries include brewing, shipbuilding, soap manufacturing, the production of chemicals, the manufacture of electronics equipment, and petroleum refining (the oil being brought by barge down the Amazon from Peru). Manaus was growing in the end of the 19th century to on of the most important cities in the world because it was the only place were rubber could be found. In this period the Teatro Amazonas got build, a beautiful building in renaissance style. Where you still can see opera performances.
Places to see in Manaus
Down town:
- Teatro Amazonas (Amazon Opera House)
- Mercado Municipal (Municipal Market)
- Palacio do Rio Negro (Rio Negro Palace)
- Museu do indio (Indian Museum)
- Cais do porto (floating harbour) here leave the gaiolas (boats)
Abroad from down town:
- Zoologic: Military zoo located about 9 km away from down town. Place where are found typical species like Capivara, Jaquar, Tapir and other.
- Bosque da Ciencia: The scenic forest, it’s know as INPA (institute of research in the Amazon) Surrounded by secondary forest it is the only place where there are rare specie of flora and fauna from the Amazon like, Manitee (the biggest aquatic mammal), Ariranha (Giant Otter), Poraque (electriceel), Cutia (agouti), with a river turtle lake. It’s located 10 km away from down town.
- Museu de Ciencias Naturais: The Natural Science Museum, it’s located about 12 km away from down town. In this museum there is a big aquarium where is found the biggest fresh water scale fish from the world “Pirarucu” Also there are many species of insects and fresh water fish.
- Ponta Negra: A strip of river beach on the edge of Manaus 13 km northwest of the centre, is a popular weekend hangout. It has many restaurants and bars and a riverbank amphitheatre, many festivals are here. In de dry season there is a beach September-December after march the high water flood the sand and cleanse the beach for the following season.
Local Festivals in Manaus and other parts of the Amazon
- Carnaboi: It is a kind of local carnaval that happens 2 days after the main carnaval in Manaus. It happens in the month of February or March it could last 2 days in the Sambodramo
- Festival de Opera: An opera festival that happens in the months April and May it could last 1 month.
- Ensaio do boi-bumba: It’s a kind of premiere of the biggest Amazon Folkloric Festival it could last 1 month in the Sambodramo from the month of May until June.
- Festival Foclorico do “Boi-Bumba”: The biggest Folkloric festival in the North of Brazil, there are many performance of Allegory representing the Indians culture and Amazonian Legend mixed up with North Eastern Culture. It happens in the city of Parintins 400km from Manaus. This festival could last 3 days in the end of month of June. The only way to get at this city is by boat or airplane.
Other interesting places around Manaus
- Presidente Figueiredo: The land of waterfalls, a small town located 107km away from Manaus. Surrounded by more than 400 waterfalls and some small caves. The way to get there is by bus from Manaus.
- Novo Airao: It is a small town located 180km away from Manaus. From here you can do boat trips to the anavilhas and it’s also possible to swim with fresh water pink and grey dolphins.