A Guide to Belem - The Gate of Amazon

BELEMThe wonders of AND SURROUNDING ISLANDS a fantastic trip to the Amazon Region gate

FACTS ABOUT BELEM Metropolitan Area: 2,491,052 The Capital City: 1,499,641 IT’S THE CITY OF MANGO TREES Climate Zone: Tropical Rainforest. Temperature: High temperatures, hot the whole year round. Humidity: High (85-90%). Rainy Season: The whole year. 2

Belém was the first European colony on the Amazon founded in 1616, but did not become part of Brazil until 1775. The Guajará Bay in the Northern Mango tree corridors on the streets Region of Brazil, about 100 km upstream from the Atlantic IT’S THE GATEWAY TO Ocean, situated at the confluence THE AMAZON REGION of Guamá River and the Pará River, the southern arm of the The Amazon represents more than half the mouth of the Amazon. planet's remaining rainforests and comprises the largest and most species-rich tract of tropical. The Amazonian rainforests have unparalleled biodiversity. More than one-third of all species in the world live in the Amazon Rainforest. 3

Val de Cans International Airport, The Local Cuisine is rich connecting Belem with other in colors and flavors. cities in South America, North America (USA) and Europe (Lisbon). One exotic fruit is \"Cupuaçu\", found in the Amazonian woods. Its pulp is also extracted to make juices, candies, jellies, liquors, and ice cream. Modern buildings and skyscrapers in the newer part of the city The colonial portion retains the Cupuaçu identified by its unique smell and sour charm of tree-filled squares, taste. churches and traditional blue tiles. The city has a rich history and 4 architecture from colonial times.

Açaí is a palm tree with a long, thin \"Maniçoba\" is another highlight of stem. It's purple in color with a local cuisine. Its preparation is time- delicious taste. consuming and its final appearance is quite surprising for those who have Açaí has also reached the national and international never tried it, due to the dark look of menu. the cooked maniva (ground manioc leaves). BELÉM HAS BEEN PART OF THE UNESCO CREATIVE CITIES Maniçoba can be eaten with rice or with manioc flour NETWORK IN THE CATEGORY and capsicum. OF GASTRONOMY. You can find anything on this city: from beaches to forest, from historical landmarks to modern tourist points. 5 And on top of all that, there is the intense fragrances, flavors, customs, sounds of Pará and the tropical spark of its people.

VER-O-PESO MARKET This area embraces Ver-o-peso Market is the largest outdoor market French Art Noveau in Latin America that mixes cuisine, culture and tendency as well people. People from the city of Belém say if you do not visit the Mercado Ver-o-Peso means you did as Colonial not visit the city at all. The market has vivacity houses. through its colors, smells, sounds and people. You can find hundreds of stalls selling fish, medicinal herbs, sweets, handicrafts and much more. Be sure to taste the exotic fruits from the Amazon 6

and local food such as: fried pescada amarela (acoupa weakfish) with açaí cream (also consumed at the breakfast) and maniçoba (Indigenous cuisine origin, it is made with leaves of the manioc plant that have been finely ground and boiled for a week). IT’S BEEN DECLARED NATIONAL PATRIMONY 7

TEATRO DA PAZ Opened in 1874, in a time that is now known as the 8 ‘Amazon Rubber Boom’ in Brazil, the theatre is now regarded to be one of the greatest examples of Italian style neo-classical architecture. Since then, it has been home to many magnificent theatrical and operatic productions, and continues to be one today. Even if you’re not inclined to actually catch a show, you must at least take a guided tour of the premises, and gain an insight into the Rubber Age influences of art and architecture, such as the French statues, the ornate chandelier, Portuguese tiling, and busts representing music, poetry, comedy and tragedy.

Amazon Rubber Boom in Brazil was an important part of the economic and social history of Brazil and Amazonian regions of neighboring countries, being related to the extraction and commercialization of rubber. Centered in the Amazon Basin, the boom resulted in a large expansion of European colonization in the area, attracting immigrant workers, generating wealth, causing cultural and social transformations, and wreaking havoc upon indigenous societies. 9

CATEDRAL DA SÉ The two bell towers imported from Europe and the brilliant white exterior of Belem Metropolitan Cathedral are just a prelude to an ornate interior with polished marble floors, stained glass, and geometric patterns on the walls. It also features paintings of saints in golden frames, 18th century screens, ten altars, and 28 bronze chandeliers. A French organ of 19th century is a true treasure of the history of Belem. IT IS THE STARTING POINT OF CIRIO DE NAZARE PROCESSION 10

BASÍLICA DE NAZARÉ 11 Anyone who loves history and architecture cannot miss the Basilica of Nazareth. It is marked by several architectural styles, like neoclassical and eclectic. IT IS THE FINAL POINT OF CIRIO DE NAZARE PROCESSION. There are 36 Italian granite columns, more than 50 French stained-glass windows and the original wooden image of Virgin of Nazareth, found on the site in the 18th century.

MANGAL DAS GARÇAS It recreates the Amazon environment in the heart of the urban area of the city of Belém. Original trees were preserved and the whole environment was designed to receive lots of birds. We recommend you to visit the orchid garden, the lookout point, Caruanas fountain and much more. With a unique spot, you can visit the bird nursery, the butterfly garden and climb the Lighthouse where you can see a breathtaking panoramic view of Belém. FORTE DO CASTELO The city of Belém was founded in 1616 with the construction of this imposing fort, which was intended to protect Portuguese interests upriver from incursions by the French and Dutch. Today it houses a small but excellent museum, primarily about Pará state’s indigenous communities (displays in Portuguese only), and has great river and city views from atop its thick stone walls. 12

MUSEU EMILIO GOELDI The Institution has the mission of researching, cataloging and analyzing the biological and sociocultural diversity of the Amazon Basin. You can find all in one place in the middle of city: Amazon Fauna & Flora, Ecosystems, Paleontology, Archeology, Anthropology, Linguistics and Ethnography due to a rich pre-history and contemporaneous history of human populations in the Amazon. It's probably the largest repository of such Amazonic collections in the world, with more than 120,000 pieces in the archeological collection, including lithic and ceramic artifacts, and more than 14,000 pieces in the ethnographic collection of indigenous cultures. The Linguistics sector studies many aboriginal languages. 13

ESTAÇÃO DAS DOCAS It's the window to Guajará Bay with 500 meters of extension with a terminal for passenger embarkation and disembarkation and 3 warehouses: Boulevards of Arts, Restaurants, Fairs and Exhibitions. It has a cultural environment with concerts with the best of music. You can find shopping, handicrafts, bars, ice cream parlor and restaurants with fresh fish dishes and the unusual Amazon beers. 14

AMAZON HANDICRAFT 15

ISLANDS SURROUNDING BELEM MOSQUEIRO is an island near the south bank of the Pará River. It is roughly 67 km north of the downtown area of the city. The island has 17 km of beaches with freshwater tides, which draw vacationers primarily in the dry season. Belem is designed by rivers, streams, COTIJUBA is one of the 42 islands that make up channels and has two-thirds of its the archipelago of Belém. Access to the island territory formed by islands (more than of Cotijuba is possible by means of boats that 40 islands), with emphasis on the islands depart from Icoaraci. Since 1990, through a of Mosqueiro, Cotijuba and Combu. Municipal Law, the island has been transformed into an Environmental Protection Area, a fact that requires the preservation of its ecosystems. It has an area of a​ bout 60 km² and a coast with 20 km of practically unexplored beaches. The most famous beaches are: Praia do Vai-Quem-Quer, Praia do Farol and Praia do Amor, these beaches have good facilities, such as bars, restaurants and inns. 16

COMBU is an environmental protection area to guarantee the region's natural resources, the living conditions of the population and the sustainable development of the area. It's the 4th largest island in the municipality of Belém. It's an area of ​1​ 5.97 km² and has a population of approximately 1,800 people. Economically, the local population lives mainly from artesanal fishing, tourism and plant extraction, mainly from açaí, which is processed and transported for consumption by the population in the metropolitan region of Belém. 17

MOSQUEIRO It offers amazing freshwater The spot is great for beaches that resemble the bodyboarding, surfing and ocean because of breaking kitesurfing. Winds are waves. You need to be flowy strong and waves reach a to surf here. Beginners height of 1.5 meter. Waves usually find it difficult to ride are big, but lose speed these waves. before breaking. A traditional tourist spot that charms everyone with its nature, cuisine and beaches made for surfing. CACHIMBO BEACH HAS BECOME POPULAR AND ESPECIALLY APPRECIATED BY SURFERS. 18

COTIJUBA 19

COMBU The Combu Island is the nearest island from Belém. It is famous for Açaí and Cacao Production and it takes only 15 minutes by boat. The tourist can coordinate a boat trip to Combu directly or through a Tourism Agency. The main attractions are to visit the homemade chocolate production sites, made of the Cacao from the Amazon. You can choose one of the restaurants that offers typical local food, to spend the time in the nature and relax. 20

AT ITS BEST 21

Come to Combu Island with us! Combu Trip is Us our package includes: Contact us at: Hotel Pickup and Drop-off, English Speaking and Licensed +55 91 8143-5256 [email protected] Tour Guide, Safe boat trip, www.combutripisus.com.br Artesanal Chocolate Tasting, Jungle Trail, Typical Regional lunch with grilled fish, Trip to rivers, streams, channels and a lot of contact with nature. and you'll never forget this jungle EXPerience! 22