Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Introducing Northern Brazil
The six states of Pará, Amapá, Amazonas,
Roraima, Acre, and Rondônia cover almost
half of Brazil. Northern Brazil was relatively
quiet until the rubber boom in the late 19th
century. With expansive savannas to the north,
and a rich diversity of flora and fauna in the
east, today the region's economy is sustained
by traditional forest products. Belém, Manaus,
Santarém, Rio Branco, and Porto Velho, cities
created by the rubber industry, are growing fast,
connecting Amazônia to the outside world.
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Boa Vista's Monte
Roraima
(see p288)
,
with its massive
uplifted plateau,
inspired Sir
Arthur Conan
Doyle's book
The Lost World
.
Rio Branco
(see p288)
was founded
during the
rubber boom.
Today, it is
better known
for its sustain-
able rubber-
tapping forest
reserves.
AMAZONAS, RORAIMA, ACRE &
RONDÔNIA
(see pp276-89)
Madeira-Mamoré Museu
Ferroviário
(see p289)
,
in Porto Velho, houses several
impressive locomotive steam
engines, antique carriages,
and other railway
paraphernalia
.
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100
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Lush vista of the Amazon rainforest
flanking the Rio Amazon
