Central Amazon
Introduction
If you have never heard of the city of Manaus in Brazil, 2014 will help change that fact. Manaus is the only Amazonian site chosen by Brazil to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals which will take place from June 12 to July 13, and it is likely to attract legions of football fans for some of the tournament’s top matches, including England vs Italy and Portugal vs U.S. It is one of the most isolated metropolitan areas in the world, is located 1,609 kilometres up the Amazon and accessible only by two underdeveloped highways or by the river itself.
Since it was first occupied in 1669, Manaus has gradually evolved into the capital of the state of Amazonas and into the metropolis of the Amazon. It is currently Brazil’s 12th most populous city, with just over two million residents, and became an economic powerhouse in the 20th century, after the construction of the Manaus Industrial Pole.
The natural environment and the traditional way of life of the Native Brazilian tribes are well preserved because of Manaus’ isolation. This culturally rich city is the main gateway to one of the world’s greatest collections of fauna and flora, the Amazonian rainforest. The combination of outstanding natural beauty, local traditions and a teeming metropolis on the rise gives Manaus a unique atmosphere, thanks to such diverse features as the Teatro Amazonas - an impressive concert hall that houses the annual Amazonas Opera Festival - and the Boi-manaus, which is a celebration of the city’s anniversary.
If you are planning to attend the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Manaus, here are some activities to consider once the football matches have ended.