Olá, amigos leitores. Hello, dear readers. I would like you to imagine a territory of approximately 1.5 million square kilometers, which is more than twice the tamanho (size) of the state of Texas or the area of France, Spain, Sweden and Greece combined. Kinda big isn’t it? And this is the size of the maior estado (largest state) in Brazil, Amazonas, and this is what we will be covering today. Ready to learn more about this gigantic Brazilian region?

O estado do Amazonas no mapa do Brasil (Photo by Wikicommons)

First of all, it is important to say that Amazonas should not be mistaken for Amazônia. The Amazon is the floresta (forest) that, though located within the limits of the region, it expands across several other Brazilian states and even to other countries in South America. As for Amazonas, it is the Brazilian state that lies in the northern region, sharing a fronteira (border) with Pará, Mato Grosso, Rondônia, Acre, Roraima, in addition to three South American countries: Venezuela, Colombia and Peru. Its capital is Manaus, a city with just over 2.2 million inhabitants located at the junction of two large Amazon rios (rivers), making it an important port and industrial center in the north.

You should know by now that the clima (weather) in Amazonas é quente e chuvoso (is hot and rainy) throughout the year. To give you an idea, the lowest temperature during inverno (winter) is only 19˚C, and no verão (in summer) it easily reaches 42˚C. This tropical climate along with the countless giant rivers that run across the state provide the exuberance and variety of its flora and fauna. And it is precisely ecotourism that attracts most visitors to Amazonas.

Can you picture yourself no coração (in the heart) of the largest tropical forest in the world, walking through the woods with local guides, taking a passeio de barco (boat trip) along the rivers, nadar na cachoeira (swimming in waterfalls), trying different local fruits that are unique and delicious and still having contact with wild animals like macacos, pássaros e até o famoso boto-rosa (monkeys, birds , fish and even the famous pink dolphin)? In Amazonas all of this is possible, since the state has a vast network of accommodation and hotels that provide unique experiences for amantes da natureza (nature lovers).

With a strong influence of the indigenous people that live there, the typical Amazonian cuisine is made with a great variety of ingredients coming from the forests and rivers. Among the many peixes de água doce (freshwater fish) consumed, two stand out: pirarucu and tambaqui. The first, also known as “Amazonian cod”, is one of the largest river fish in the world and can be 3 meters long and weigh more than 120 kilos. It has a firm and tasty meat that is used to make several local dishes, besides dumplings and sausages. The tambaqui has a slightly less firm meat, but no less delicious, so make sure to try its grilled ribs and also the famous fish stew called “caldeirada”.

For vegetarians, the key is to enjoy not only the many native fruit juices in the region, such as cupuaçu, soursop, taberebá or guaraná, but also açaí, tapiocas, nut brittle made from manioc and  castanha do pará (Brazil nut ) and the most diverse farofas in the region. But the highlight is a typical sandwich from Amazonas, the X-caboquinho.Composed of pão (bread), queijo coalho (cheese), ovo (egg), banana and thin slices of tucumã, a yellow fruit very common throughout the Amazon, this sandwich is a sensation among locals and tourists.

Have you ever been to the Amazon? Can you remember any place or food that you would like to share with our reader friends? Make sure to comment below! Tenham uma ótima semana! Have a great week!