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Located in the heart
of the largest forest in the world, Amazonas is the largest state of
Brazil. It has one of the most varied biodiversities of the planet,
and is always drawing the attention of non-governmental
organizations and environmentalists that fight for economic and
regional development without affecting this unique ecosystem. At the
margin of Negro River, the state’s capital, Manaus, represents an
important center of ecological tourism. One of its most sought-after
attractions is Ponta Negra Beach, 13 km from downtown. There, the
sand invades Negro River bed, composing a beautiful contrast with
the dark water during ebb tide. Another tour place is the vast
forest that belongs to the National Institute of Amazon Researches (INPA),
a complex composed of a diversified Botanic Garden, rich in flora
species of Amazon, and a Zoo with native animals, including some
types in extinction.
Occupied mostly by
the Amazon Forest, the State of Amazonas is fully cut by Amazon
River basin. Its surface features include flood lands, plain areas
and low plateaus or solid ground. Besides, Amazon has trees up to 20
meters high. However, lower species, between two and three meters
high are also common in the region, with such low and dense branches
that make it difficult to penetrate into the forest. The several
areas protected by the state include the National Park of Pico da
Neblina and the Ecological Park of Janauary, which is covered by
solid ground woods, flood land woods and plain areas, and where a
canoe ride showing the water lilies is the greatest attraction of
the tour. In this area, the visitor can also go to the National Park
of Jaú, the largest forest reserve of the continent; and the City of
Barcelos, the place to stay when visiting the Park.
The ecological
tourism is the great attraction of the tours through the Amazon. The
most sought-after tours include the Reserve of Mamirauá and Humaitá,
where the greatest attraction is the sport fishing in Roosevelt
River. The tours include boat rides, overnight at forest lodges and
forest hikes. Most of the tours has a specialized guide. The State
of Amazonas was the first to offer forest lodges, built at the
margin of rivers or floating on the waters of a lake, in the middle
of the forest. The state also holds one of the greatest folkloric
festivals of the country: Parintins, which combines music, dance and
all culture roots of the state. |
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