Amazonas (Brazilian state)
Template: Infobox administrative unit / Maintenance / density
Amazon is the largest of the 26 states of Brazil. He is in the northwest of the country and is part of the Região Norte ( Northern Region ). In its capital Manaus live about two million inhabitants, that is, more than half the population of the state. The state is named after the Amazon River flowing through it.
Geography and population
It comprises the western Amazon basin in the north- west of Brazil and consists largely of tropical rainforests. The geographical location is determined by the maximum latitude and longitude:
- Latitude 2 ° 14'29 " to -9 ° 49'10 " (North-South )
- Longitude 56 ° 06'00 " -73 ° 47'40 up " (east-west )
The state borders the neighboring countries Peru, Colombia and Venezuela, as well as to the Brazilian states of Roraima, Pará, Mato Grosso, Rondônia and Acre. He himself is in 62 municipalities divided ( List of municipalities in Amazonas ( Brazil) ).
Its area is just under 1.56 million km ², the number of inhabitants per square kilometer is 2.23 and absolutely about 3.8 million. Approximately half the population live in the capital Manaus.
Cities
The largest city in the state and the Região Norte is Manaus. According to the census of 2010, four -fifths of the population of the Amazon ' in cities and one fifth live in rural areas. Other major cities of the state next to Manaus Parintins ( 102 033 inhabitants), Itacoatiara ( 86 839 ), Manacapuru ( 85 141 ), Coari ( 75,965 ) and Tefé ( 61 453 ).
Indigenous population
65 indigenous groups live according to IBGE in the Amazon. The census of 2010, a total of 168 680 people identified which are counted in the indigenous population, making the highest number of lives of the Brazilian Indians in the Amazon.
The Amazon River is called in the state of Amazonas on its longest route to the capital Manaus Rio Solimões. The other largest rivers are:
- Rio Içá (Río Putumayo )
- Rio Juruá
- Rio Japurá
- Rio Purus
- Rio Negro
- Rio Madeira
- Rio Uaupés
The majority of the rivers Amazon ' are used throughout the year.
Mountains
The highest point in Brazil are located in the Amazon; so the Pico da Neblina at 3,014 meters and the Pico 31 de Março with 2,992 meters.
History
The Spaniard Francisco de Orellana applies as the discoverer of the area that makes up the state of Amazonas today. The discovery was part of Gonzalo Pizarro expedition and took place from 1541 to 1542. The region, however, fell into oblivion until two monks to the Amazon again sailed and aroused the interest of a seizure again. 1637 launched another expedition under Pedro Teixeira. In the same year created Philip IV of Spain by a royal statute, the capitania do Cabo do Norte. 1669 Forte de São João da Barra do Rio Negro was established, out of which over centuries should develop the capital of Amazonas: Manaus.
Culture
Amazon has since 1918 on an Academia de Letras Amazonense. One of the biggest festival is the last weekend of June annual Festival de Folclórico Parintins.
Policy
Since March 31, 2010, the civil engineer Omar Aziz is Governor ( governador ) Amazon '. He succeeds Eduardo Braga, under which he is, was lieutenant governor twice in the legislature from 2002 and from 2006. In the elections of October 3, 2010 Aziz was confirmed with 63.9 % of the vote in office. Acting Deputy Governor since this election José Melo de Oliveira.