Manaus, Then And Now
Manaus is on the banks of the Negro river in Northwestern Brazil.
Manaus, Brazil Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Manaus is the capital of Amazonas. It's a hectic city being situated in the heart of the Amazon river. It lies along the bank of the Negro river, about 11 miles above that river influx into the Amazon river. It is also situated in the heart of the Amazon rain forest, about 900 miles inland form the Atlantic coast.
The daily life of the people in Manaus revolves around the rivers and the hundreds of ferries that traverses the local water. To take advantage of this, the government installed a fishing terminal in Manaus.
Manaus has a botanical and zoological gardens and there is animal jungle park on its outskirts.
One of the major attraction in Manaus is the Opera House. In the 19th century, a regional economic boom based on the production of rubber from the tree brought fortunes and prosperity to the city. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Amazonas Theater is almost completely preserved in its original late baroque condition. It has the same painted canvas and carved woodwork that have captivated generations of opera-goers.
Manaus' majestic buildings and homes, including the cathedral and ornate opera house and the creation of port commerce made the city to be known as "Paris of the Jungle". It was also one of the first cities in Brazil to have electricity. Manaus declined in the 1920’s, when the price of natural rubber collapsed on the market. Also, seeds for rubber trees had been smuggled out of Brazil by an English trader in 1876 and eventually rubber plantations were established in British territories in Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Africa where trees proved to be more productive. The increased production undercut Brazilian rubber.
Manaus is now a major inland port and remnants of that once prosperous era remain today with the city's symbol, the Teatro Amazonas. It is home to a sleek cable-stayed bridge , the only bridge in the Amazon river system.
