Belem, Brazil
The capital of the Brazilian state of Para is a city called Belem, located on the banks of the Amazon estuary. Belem is considered the entrance gate to the Amazon as it has a busy port, coach station, and airport. The city itself is about sixty miles upriver from the Atlantic Ocean, and the Para River flows through the city, separated from the larger part of the Amazon delta by Ilha de Marajo or Marajo Island.
Belem was founded in 1616 and was the first European colony to be established on the Amazon. It didn’t become part of the Brazilian nation until 1775. The metropolitan area of Belem has over two million inhabitants. Belem is also known as the Metropolis of the Brazilian Amazon region, or the Cidade das Mangueiras, which means City of Mango Trees, as there are many mango trees found growing in the city. There is a newer part of the city of Belem that is home to many modern buildings and skyscrapers.
There is a colonial portion of Belem that has retained the charm of ancient tree-filled squares, churches, and traditional blue tiles. Val de Caes International Airport is located in Belem and connects Belem to other Brazilian and South American cities. Brazilians refer to the city of Belem as Belem do Para instead of just Belem in order to differentiate it from the city of Bethlehem in Palestine.
The Federal University of Para is also located in Belem. The city experienced a natural rubber boom during World War II, and Amazonian rediscovery in the 1960s and 1970s, and more recently there was a skyscraper boom. All of these events contribute to the city’s rich history and architecture from colonial times.
Belem has many fascinating tourist attractions that draw many visitors each year. A few examples are the Amazon Biopark Zoo, the Rodrigues Alves Wood-Botanic Garden, and the Estacao das Docas Complex. The Wood-Botanic Garden is a small piece of Amazonia preserved in the middle of a bustling city and encompasses sixteen hectares of native species, orchidary, lakes, caverns, waterfalls, and a replica mountain. The complex is a reopened window of history that includes eighteen thousand square meters of urbanized area, like coffee shops, restaurants, stores, and banks. There is also an auditorium and two memorials. Finally, the Ver-o-Peso Market was created in 1688 and is a result of the Portuguese trying to levy a tax on everything that entered and left Amazonia. Here it is possible to find medicinal herbs, arts and crafts, various regional fruits, domestic utilities, fish, seasonings and spices, and meats. The Market involves over two thousand stalls and traders and is located next to the Mercado de Ferro or Iron Market, on the quays.
Belem is also known for its rich cultural cuisine. Regional plants found in the Amazonian woods are used in many different dishes, juices, jellies, candies, and liquors. For example, the purple-colored, delicious Acai berry has grown in popularity recently due to its outstanding taste and energetic properties.