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Amazon rainforest (Neil Palmer/Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 2.0).
The Central Amazon Conservation Complex makes up the largest protected area in the Amazon Basin (over 6 million hectares) and is one of the planet’s richest regions in terms of biodiversity.
It also includes an important sample of varzea ecosystems, igapó forests, lakes and channels which take the form of a constantly evolving aquatic mosaic that is home to the largest array of electric fish in the world.
The varzea and igapó forests, lakes, rivers, and islands together constitute physical and biological formations and demonstrate ongoing ecological processes in the development of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.
The floating (and constantly moving and changing) mats of vegetation typical of the varzea watercourses include a significant number of endemic species, including the largest array of electric fishes in the world.
Anavilhanas contains the second largest archipelago of river islands in the Brazilian Amazon.
It substantially increases the already impressive protection offered by Jaú National Park to the biological diversity, habitats, and endangered species found in the Central Amazon region.
The area is one of the Endemic Bird Areas of the World, is considered as one of the World Wildlife Fund’s 200 Priority Ecoregion for Conservation, and it is also a Centre of Plant Diversity.
The expansion of Jaú National Park to include an important sample of Varzea ecosystems, igapó forests, lakes and channels significantly increases the representation of the aquatic biodiversity of the Central Amazon region.
Expansion of the site also enhance the protection of key threatened species including giant arapaima fish, the Amazonian manatee, the black caiman, and two species of river dolphin.
Hoatzins in Amazon (Claudio Dias Timm/Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 2.0).
Nearest Cities:
Manacapuru (pop. 85,000) Manacapuru is in Amazonas, ever more accessible by the new bridge from Manaus. This small riverside city promises to grow as an alternative harbour for all boat traffic upriver Solimoes, i.e. towards Colombia and Peru, as it saves you a few hours compared with Manaus. Also, it is still a genuine "jungle town", compared to the cityscape of the state capital [read more].
Manaus (pop. 2,360,000) is a Brazilian city, located on the Rio Negro a few miles before it meets the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River proper. The two rivers flow side by side for many miles, different in color, mixing in eddies: the "Meeting of the Waters." Legend has it that they never mix. The wealth of the primeval forest becomes visible first of all in the architecture of the city. The city was rich and the rubber barons afforded the biggest luxury from Europe, a copy of the Grand Opera de Paris - the Teatro Amazonas. Other monuments from this epoch are the Mercado Municipal, a copy of the famous market halls Les Halles in Paris, and the arts center Palacio Rio Negro, located among fascinating Portuguese facades. Today Manaus is a foreign trade zone. Foreign enterprises don't pay import duties, what guarantees a certain income for the city and the region. Electronics, wood industry and oil refineries have settled in the outskirts in industrial areas. The harbour is the most important trading center in the city with regional, national and international products. The city is pleasant and friendly, although quite hot, and is still a major port, and a good starting point for river tours. The Rio Negro (northern) branch of the Amazon is the color of strong tea, peaty brown and its comparative acidity means few mosquitoes. At Manaus the Amazon rises and falls almost twenty meters between seasons. In May and June it's at its peak, full and very wide, spreading way out into the trees. In November and December it's low; still massive but with sandbars [read more].
Coari (pop. 87,000).
Amazon Rainforest (Dams999/Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0).
Reviews/News Link:
Apr 22 2015 - Great Barrier Reef among UNESCO sites at risk of collapse: study; CTV
Apr 01 2015 - Local action needed to protect nature from global warming; Phys.org
Dec 11 2014 - 20 Fearless Gifts for Your Favorite Adventurer; Diane Anderson-Minshall; Advocate
Nov 10 2014 - Brazil: Journey deep into the Amazon aboard a river cruise; Anne Harnagel; LA Times
Oct 22 2014 - Cruises That Go Deep Into the Amazon; Elaine Glusac; New York Times
Jan 28 2012 - A Photo Tour Of The Unesco World Heritage Sites Of Brazil; Jessica Festa; Gadling
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