A result of the confluence of two of its largest tributaries, the Negro and the Solimões, the Amazon is the main drainage channel in this kingdom of water, where a huge network of rivers, river banks and lakes forms natural roads and covers the largest fresh water reserve of the planet - around 20% of the total.
Photo: The Amazon Forest, one of the most fascinating sites for participative tourism - Wagner Berber/Abril Imagens.
Between the large rivers - or main highways - are the Branco, Jari, Japurá, Javari, Juruá, Purus, Madeira, Tapajós, Tocantins, Trombetas and Xingu rivers.
For intending travellers to Amazonia, the greatest spectacle offered by nature is its exuberant flora owing to the strong connection between the forest and the river. Despite the huge diversity of wildlife, fauna is difficult to see owing to the characteristics of tropical forests.
However, the estimated over 2,000 species of fish makes Amazonia one of the main Brazilian destinations for sport fishing and watching ornamental fish. From the cultural point of view, the greatest interest lies in the traditional communities - or forest peoples: rubber gatherers, 'caboclos' (mixed bloods), riverbank dwellers and indigenous communities.
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Visits to the latter are prohibited. The best way of getting to know this water world is by means of river cruises, or by staying at one of the various jungle lodges. With temperatures normally above 20 ºC and owing to the characteristics of the humid forest, the best time to visit Amazonia is "summer" - June to October - when the humidity of the area is lower.
Amazonia may be visited from Manaus, a city situated on the left bank of the Negro River, near the confluence with the Solimões River. These two rivers form the Amazon in a natural spectacle of rare beauty, the "meeting of waters", in which the dark waters of the Negro meet the muddy waters of the Solimões and they run side by side without mixing for miles and miles.
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Another important way into Amazonia is Belém, the largest city on the Equator, situated on one of the branches of the Amazon River, near its outlet into the Atlantic.
The capital of the State of Pará is also near Marajó Island, where there are many possibilities for ecotourism routes along the rivers, channels, riverbanks and mangrove swamps on this island with an area equal to Denmark and larger than the State of Rio de Janeiro. Other important access cities to Amazonia are Alta Floresta, Boa Vista, Macapá, Rio Branco and Santarém.
Roberto Mourão, 25th May 20001
Additional information
Information used with permission from the Brazil`s Ministry of External Relations.
Presentation of the author
Roberto Mourão works in the preparation, management and development of tourism and ecotourism projects. He is the Director-President and a founder of EcoBrasil Associação Brasileira de Ecotourism, a member of the Ecotourism Technical Co-ordination Group for Legal Amazonia and an active partner and member of the Board of Directors of the Mico-leão-dourado Association. He has been the Executive and Product Director of Expeditours Operadora de Ecotourism.
Amazonia
Situated in the heart of the greatest forest in the world, the State of Amazonas is more than 1.5 million km2 in area, equivalent to 18% of the total area of Brazil (8.5 million km2). It lies in the Northern Region of Brazil, is the largest state in the country and possesses some of the greatest variety in the world in terms of plants, animals, rivers and minerals. For this reason it is the object of continuous attention from NGOs and environmentalists, who wish to ensure that regional economic development does not prejudice an ecosystem which is fundamental for life on earth.
The name Amazonas was originally given to the great river which flows through the region by the Spanish explorer Francisco Orelhana, who sailed up it in 1541. At a certain part of the river he encountered a tribe of female Indian warriors. Skirmishes took place and he associated them with the mounted female warriors known as Amazons in ancient myth. The name he gave to them was later transferred to the state. In the language of the indigenous peoples, amazonas derives from the word "amassunu", meaning "sound of the waters" or "water which resounds".
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