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 The City of Manaus |
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Manaus, the capital city of the State of Amazonas, considered the North Region Metropolis and the gateway to the biggest rainforest in the planet, is located within the area of the Meeting of the Waters of Negro and Amazonas (Solimões) Rivers and stands as the most important tourist destination in the North of Brazil.
Around 1.600 km far from the Atlantic Ocean, it stands on 3º 8’ 1” South Latitude and 60º 18’ 34” West Latitude, according to the Greenwich Meridian.
Manaus is a contemporary and cosmopolitan city with excellent urban infra-structure: wide avenues, overpasses and level crossings; International Port and Airport; and efficient public services (electrical energy, pluvial drainage system, sewage and water treatment, safety, etc.).
It still offers a great diversity of tourism services (urban hotels, jungle hotels, on-land and aerial transportation, theaters, restaurants, bars, museums, cultural and sports centers, private spaces for big events, night clubs, car rental, money exchange, consulates, hospitals, emergency rooms, etc.), and an excellent communication net (Internet services, national and international calls, cell phones, pagers, quick delivery services, mail, etc.).
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Amazonas Opera House |
 The Origin of Manaus |
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At the time of its foundation, in 1669, Manaus was originally named “Lugar da Barra”, installed during the construction of the Barra Fort (or Fort of São José da Barra), built with the purpose to contain the invasion of the Holland and Spanish, which were Portugal’s enemies back then.
In 1755, the Portuguese Crown determines the creation of the Captaincy of São José do Rio Negro, previously fixed in Mariuá (Barcelos, Amazonas).
In 1804, the Captaincy was moved to Lugar da Barra (Manaus); and in 1832, Lugar da Barra was raised to the status of Village (Vila da Barra), having its name changed to Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Barra do Rio Negro.
On October 24, 1848, Vila da Barra was raised to the category of City, and finally, on September 5, 1856, Cidade da Barra do Rio Negro, counting up to 1.300 inhabitants, is named Manáos.
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Manaus Downtown - historical picture (*)
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Useful Information
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City Limits
» North: Municipality of Presidente Figueiredo.
» South: Municipalities of Careiro and Iranduba.
» East: Municipalities of Rio Preto da Eva and Amatari.
» West: Municipality of Novo Airão.
Location
» Territorial Area of Manaus: 11.159,5 km².
» Urban Area of Manaus: 377 km².
» Urban Expansion Area: 100 km².
The urban area of Manaus is located between the coordinates of 2°57' and 3°10' South latitude and 59°53' and 60°07' West longitude.
Altitude
It varies between 25 meters below the sea level in the port zone and over 100 meters near the Eduardo Gomes International Airport area.
Time Zone
Manaus´ time zone is an hour behind Brasilia’s time and four hours behind the Greenwich Meridian.
Climate
The climate is equatorial hot and humid, with annual average temperature of 26, 7ºC, varying between 23, 3ºC and 31, 4ºC. The relative air humidity oscillates at around 80% and the annual rainfall average is of 2.286 mm. There are two distinct seasons in the region: the rainy season (winter), from December to May, period when the temperature is more pleasant, with frequent rainfall; and the dry season (summer or less rainy), from June to November, time of intense sunlight and very high temperatures, around 38º C, reaching nearly 40º C, in September. Heavy showering of short duration is usual throughout the year.
Local Holidays
» September 5: Amazonas´ Elevation to the Category of Province.
» October 24: Manaus´ Elevation to the Category of City.
The Manaus´ Anniversary.
» December 8: Amazonas Patron Saint´s Day - N. S. da Conceição.
Electricity Voltage
Electrical appliances must be adjusted to 110 volts.
Comercial and Banking Hours
Commerce runs from 08:00h to 18:00h, Monday through Friday and usually from 08:00h to 14:00h on Saturdays. At shopping centers, stores are open Monday through Saturday from 10:00h to 22:00h and close at 21:00h on Sundays. Banks open at 09:00h and close at 15:00h.
Manaus Gastronomy
Fish-based dishes, prepared in various ways, are the greatest local specialty. Visitors are delighted with dishes made from pirarucu, tambaqui, tucunaré, pacu, acará-açu and many other fish. Real wonders can be tried: stewed fish (the popular caldeirada), fried, marinated, roasted or stuffed fish as well. Delicious juice made from regional fruit (cupuaçu, açaí, maracujá, bacuri, etc.), as well as desserts such as ice cream, mousses, pies, preserves, puddings, pies and fruit-filled bonbons should not be missed. Consumed all over Brazil (and even around the world), the “guaraná” (a genuine local drink) is known for its energizing properties and it’s largely drunk by locals, especially in the morning, to recover their physical vigor.
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(*) Photo electronically restored by the photographer and designer Jorge Herrán. |
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