Guide to Brazil
North
Amidst its big cities and small coastal communities, the Amazon Rainforest is entangled with majestic scenery which occupies most of the North Region, that comprises seven states, home to 16 million Brazilians. In Manaus, the capital city of Amazonas with a population of 1.8 million, historic constructions such as the impressive Amazonas Theatre reect the heritage of Brazil's Rubber Cycle, which brought prosperity to the city during the 19th century. The conuence of the Solimões and Negro rivers — running in parallel for six kilometres before joining to form the Amazonas — attracts visitors for its tours where pink porpoises swim alongside its boats. Visits to indigenous villages and tours of creeks and river branches that ow into the forest are other must-see excursions.
Belém, the capital of Pará state, is a city with 1.4 million people. The ‘Ver-o-Peso’ street fair, built in the 17th century, oers a feast for the ve senses, with exotic tropical fruits, herbs from the forest and an innite variety of sh used in the rich local cuisine. After the tour, visitors can select one of the city’s excellent restaurants in which to enjoy the region’s specialties, such as the ‘pato no tucupi’ and ‘caldeirada de lhote’, made with a delicious sh from the Amazon Basin.