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Manaus About Manaus |
On the banks of the Rio Negro sits Manaus, the capital of the state of Amazonas, the largest state in Brasil. The town was founded in 1669 around Sao Jose do Rio Negro fort, to protect against anticipated Dutch invaders. The city did not become know as Manaus until 1856 when it was given the name derived from an Indian tribe called the Manau or Manao who lived upstream on the middle Rio Negro.
This port city was especially prosperous from1890 to 1920 thanks to the rubber boom. Great construction projects undertaken at that time resulted in floating docks to receive the world
=s largest ships and lavish buildings such as the famed opera house, the Amazon Theatre, where European opera performers and big ballet companies performed in gala presentations.Today Manaus is a
Afree port@ city of modern hotels and restaurants mixed together with the European architecture of the past forming a metropolis that is both old and new.Manaus is an important gateway to the Brazilian Amazon. There are many fascinating boat trips and jungle lodges that can be reached from Manaus but be sure to visit the city
=s highlights before striking out for the jungle.The climate is humid with temperatures that range from an average low of 73 degrees to an average high of 91 degrees throughout the year. The months of December through April bring the most rain.