Manaus
is a modern, growing city, dominating Brazil's largest frontier.
Before the rubber boom of the 19th century, Manaus was a small,
insignificant town. With rubber came rich and splendid architectural
accomplishments like the Amazonas Theater (completed in 1896
and restored in 1929) with its neoclassic faade and art
nouveau interior including paintings by Capranesi and De Angelis.
The green, yellow, blue and red dome is made up of tiles of
tropical decor. Today, Manaus is a meeting point for people
from all over the world.
In this
cosmopolitan city, sophisticated dressers mingle with the shabbier
unemployed from the surrounding suburbs. Downtown, the Plaza
de Mayo is the traditional focus of activity, and lately has
been the scene of mass protests against the government's handling
of the economic crisis. Nearby Avenida 9 de Julio is popularly
known as the world's widest thoroughfare and is truly a pedestrian's
nightmare. Avenida Santa Fe is the most fashionable shopping
area.
Manaus is
the ideal point of departure for visiting the rest of the Amazon
region. Tour boats leave Manaus for day trips to the meeting
of waters where the black waters of the Negro River meet the
lighter waters of the Solimões River flowing side by
side without mixing for several miles.
Visitors
can also explore river banks and "igarapés",
swim and canoe in placid lakes, or simply walk in the lush forest.
The more adventurous may even choose to spend a night or two
in the jungle in close contact with nature.
