Brazilian Amazon

The Brazilian Amazon covers 5.5 million km², or 60% of the national territory and the largest part of the Amazon basin shared with eight neighbouring countries (Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana). It's the world's largest rainforest massif, called the "planet's green lung" by ecologists — 20% of world oxygen, 25% of terrestrial biodiversity (40,000 plant species, 2.5 million insect species, 1,300 bird species, 430 mammal species including jaguars, anacondas, pink dolphins).

The region administratively covers 9 Brazilian states (Amazonas, Pará, Acre, Rondônia, Roraima, Amapá, Tocantins, Mato Grosso, Maranhão) with two main tourist gateways. Manaus (2.2 million inhabitants), the "Paris of the Tropics", is the Amazon ecotourism backbone — founded in 1669, transformed by the rubber boom in the late 19th century (the Theatro Amazonas, opera house inaugurated in 1896 with Carrara marble, Murano chandeliers, French parquet, is the heritage of this era), it remains today the logistical base for exploring the Rio Negro (Amazon's second largest tributary, acidic black waters) and the Encontro das Águas (meeting of Rio Negro's black waters and Rio Solimões' brown waters flowing side by side without mixing over 10 km).

Belém (1.5 million inhabitants), alternative gateway, is the large city at the Amazonian mouth in Pará. More authentic and less touristy than Manaus, it's also the Amazonian gastronomic capital — Ver-o-Peso (Latin America's largest open-air market, 500 stalls of fruits, fish, medicinal plants, fresh açaí), Mercado de São Brás, Estação das Docas (former docks converted into gastronomic hub).

The Amazon tourism proposition revolves mainly around eco-lodges on the Rio Negro or its tributaries (1-3h fast boat from Manaus). These lodges (Anavilhanas, Mirante do Gavião, Juma Lodge, Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge) offer 3-5 night all-inclusive stays (€300-500/night/person full board) with activities: jungle hike with guide, pirogue excursion in igarapés (small streams), pink dolphin observation (Inia geoffrensis, endemic to the Amazon basin), swimming with dolphins (at Novo Airão), piranha fishing at sunset, listening to jungle night sounds, visiting caboclo communities (mixed populations descending from indigenous and colonists). River cruises (4-7 nights, €1,500-3,500/person) on comfortable boats (Iberostar Grand Amazon, Premium Amazon) are an alternative to explore more widely.

The indigenous peoples of the Brazilian Amazon (Yanomami, Tukano, Tikuna, Munduruku, Kayapó, among 305 identified ethnicities) live mainly in terras indígenas (officially recognised indigenous territories, 13% of Brazilian territory). Respectful community visits (Tukano at São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Munduruku in Pará) are possible with specialised operators and FUNAI (National Indian Foundation) authorisation — avoid "folkloric" visits without ethical framework.