Probably, the Amazon is the most well known landmark of Brazil - is all one can imagine and much more!
Manaus is the capital city of the State of Amazonas, the largest Brazilian state, located in northern region of the country. Manaus, whose name originated from the Manaos indians that inhabited the region, is situated on the left bank of Rio Negro (Black River), close to the "meeting of the waters" with the Solimões River. Local vegetation is dense and heterogeneous, comprised of a fantastic biodiversity. It still hides species unknown to science and covers 90% of all area of the Amazonian Region. The climate in Manaus is tropical, hot and humid, with average temperature of 31,4o C (56.5F). The rainy season is from December to May and Rio Negro reaches its highest level in June and its lowest in September
Manaus is a modern, growing city, dominating Brazils largest frontier. Before the rubber boom of the 19th century, Manaus was a small, insignificant town. With rubber came riches and splendid architectural accomplishments like the Amazonas Theater (completed in 1896 and restored in 1929) with its neoclassical façade and art nouveau interior including paintings by Capranesi and De Angelis. The green, yellow, blue and red dome is made up of tiles imported from France - a masterpiece of tropical decor.
The Rio Negro Palace - Until 1917, it was the residence of a wealthy rubber merchant, the German Valdemar Sholtz. Until recently, it housed the executive offices of the Amazonas State Government. Now it serves as an Exposition Center.
The Floating Docks - Inaugurated in 1902, these are an ingenious floating structure of English engineering. They rise and fall with the Negro Rivers water level which can range over 10 meters. The docks serve ocean-going vessels of any draft during the entire year.
The Municipal Market - Inaugurated in 1882, the market is a replica of the now gone Les Halles Market in Paris, France. It is a marketing center for typical Amazonian products.
Ponta Negra Beach is the most attended beach. It was once inhabited by the Manaos Indians from which the name of Manaus city originated. Recently it was urbanized with wide sidewalks, special lighting, cycling trails, amphitheaters, sport areas, charming snack bars and other recreational attractions. It is located about 13km from downtown.
INPA Science Grove - Área cared for by INPA, National Institute for Amazonian Research which studies the environment and the peculiarities of the flaura, faunaminerals and fossiles of the region. The mains attractions are the manatees and the otters which are part of INPAs projects of preservation.
The phenomenon of the Meeting of the Waters of the Negro and Solimões rivers is the excursion most sought after by travelers. Located approximately ten Kilometers from Manaus, the two largest rivers of the region meet but do not mix for six kilometers creating a spectacle of the dark waters of the Negro and the muddy waters of the Solimões, which then end up forming the Amazon on out the Atlantic Ocean. Differences in density, temperature, and velocity of the two rivers contributes to the occurance of this phenomenon.
The Anavilhanas archipelago are the worlds largest freshwater jungle island grouping. This remote area is comprised of 370 islands, myriads of small creeks, pools and sand beaches, all formed by the ever-changing waters. As a naturalists paradise, it fascinated the famous Jacques Cousteau and allows visitors to marvel at the unique ecology of the Amazon. In addition to an astounding number of different species of vegetation, there are also monkeys, sloths and exotic birds that make their habitat in the tropical forest.
Located on the Rio Negro, just forty-five minutes by boat from Manaus, the January Ecological Park unites several ecosystems of the region and has the advantage of being easily accessible by travellers. The nine thousand hectare area contains terra firme, varzea, and igapó forests, and is operated by a tour association composed of businesses from the sector with the permission of the Governor of the State. At the location, tourists can travel by canoe along the igapós, which are intersected by large and small trees with liana and vegetation typical of this ecosystem. At the Victoria Regia (Water-lily) lake, there is a rustic, yet secure, bridge that take the visitor to get to know this beautiful Amazonian flower.