Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
AMAZONAS, RORAIMA,
ACRE & RONDÔNIA
T
he states of Amazonas, Roraima, Acre, and Rondônia form
the heartland of the vast Amazon rainforest region, which is
drained by the world's largest network of freshwater lakes and
rivers. Despite hundreds of years of European presence and the
deforestation ravages of the 20th century, the region continues to be
home to some of the world's last indigenous peoples.
Amazonas is larger than
the other three states
put together. Manaus, its
capital, is the most popular
place for exploring the
jungle. The city sits at the conflu-
ence of two of the world's largest
rivers - the Solimões (as the Amazon
river is called in this section) and
the Rio Negro. The vast Rio Madeira
lies downstream of Manaus.
Roraima, which literally juts up into
Venezuela and Guyana, is best known
for its superb plateau-topped moun-
tains, lakes, and substantial rainforest.
A host of indigenous groups live here,
tenaciously holding on to their land
and culture. Roraima also boasts open
savannas that have been transformed
into cattle ranches. The state capital,
Boa Vista, is a well-planned city on
the banks of the Rio Branco.
Acre and Rondônia, in the
very southwest corner of
the Brazilian Amazon,
possess some fantastic
protected areas of bio-
diversity, home to many
indigenous communities. Acre,
the rubber-tapping center of the
Amazon, is known for its lush
beauty. Environmental destruction
has been met with equally forceful
conservation movements here. Its
capital, Rio Branco, was where acti-
vist Chico Mendes fought to defend
the forest in the late 1980s.
Rondônia, an area which has
developed beyond recognition, still
retains some of Brazil's best flora and
fauna. It also offers fascinating gems
in terms of heritage, such as the
Madeira-Mamoré railway museum in
the state capital, Porto Velho.
Village huts surrounded by tall palm tree plantations in Acre
Virgin forests and a meandering tributary of the Rio Negro, Amazonas
