Amazonas: the green heart of Brazil
The Amazonas is more than just a state — it is a living symbol of nature and the Brazilian soul. Located in the North of the country, it holds the largest tropical rainforest on Earth, the most powerful river in the world, and one of Brazil’s richest and most mysterious cultures.
History and origins
Long before the arrival of Europeans, the lands of Amazonas were home to Indigenous peoples who developed languages, spiritual traditions, and ways of living in harmony with the forest. When Portuguese explorers arrived in the 17th century, they began navigating the mighty Amazon River, and the city of Manaus emerged as a small settlement along the Rio Negro.
During the Rubber Boom (late 19th century), Amazonas experienced a golden age. Manaus became one of the richest cities in the world — with theaters, electric trams, and European-style architecture built in the middle of the jungle. The Amazonas Theater, inaugurated in 1896, still stands as one of the most iconic symbols of that era.
Culture and identity
Amazonian culture is a fusion of Indigenous, African, and European influences. It reveals itself through music, cuisine, festivals, and spirituality.
The Boi-Bumbá Festival of Parintins is the region’s biggest folk celebration — a vibrant explosion of colors, dances, and myths.
Amazonian cuisine blends forest ingredients with creativity: grilled fish, tacacá, jambu, açaí, cupuaçu, Brazil nuts, and tapioca.
Art and handicrafts often use seeds, feathers, ceramics, and wood — reflecting the deep connection between people and the forest.
The sacred nature
The Amazon River begins in the Andes and crosses the continent until it meets the Atlantic Ocean. It’s so powerful that when it joins with the Rio Negro, it creates the phenomenon known as the Meeting of the Waters — where the two rivers run side by side without mixing for several kilometers.
The Amazon Rainforest is often called the “lungs of the world”, home to millions of plant and animal species, as well as traditional peoples who still live in balance with nature. It’s a place of mystery, healing, and ancient wisdom. *
Amazonas today
Today, the state faces the challenge of balancing preservation and development. While the forest suffers from deforestation, a strong movement of environmental and cultural awareness continues to grow — led by youth, artists, and Indigenous communities.
The Amazonas is, above all, resilience and beauty — a living reminder that nature and the human spirit can coexist in harmony when there is respect, love, and awareness.
The Amazonas is not just a place on the map — it’s a living force, a green heart beating inside us all.