Manaus, the largest city in the Amazon Rainforest, serves as a bustling port along the Amazon River.

Additionally, it is a significant Brazilian industrial hub thanks to its Free Economic Zone. The city attracts many tourists who come to shop, take guided tours into the surrounding rainforest, visit the archaeological sites, admire the rubber boom architecture and explore the Amazon River.

Anavilhanas Reserve

Located within the Amazon Rainforest, the Anavilhanas Reserve protects flooded forest, sandy soil, shrubland, and numerous river islands of the lower Rio Negro.

Birdwatchers will be delighted to know that 60% of the birds observed in the Central Amazon have been spotted in this section of the reserve.

Jau National Park

Jau National Park, a World Heritage Site, is the largest national park in the Amazon Rainforest. The park contains a wealth of iconic Amazonian wildlife, including Jaguar, Tapir, and Harpy Eagles. It encompasses the entire watershed of the Jaú River.

Manaus Architecture

During the rubber boom period from 1879 to 1912, Amazonian cities, like Manaus, experienced tremendous growth. The rubber boom architecture is still visible today in the city’s streets. One of the most well-known examples is the Amazon Theater in central Manaus, which was built as a symbol of prosperity during that era.

Meeting of the Waters

A major attraction for tourists visiting Manaus is the Meeting of the Waters. This is where the dark Rio Negro meets with the lighter brown water of the Solimões River to merge into the Amazon River. A unique feature of this natural phenomenon is that for 4 miles (6 km) along the river, the light brown and dark brown water run side by side without mixing. The rivers have different temperatures and current speeds, which causes the phenomenon.