Para Travel Guide

About the State of Para, Brazil

Pará is a vast state in northern Brazil, covering over 1.2 million square kilometers, making it the second-largest state in the country by area. It has a population of around 8.5 million people, with its capital and largest city, Belem, located near the mouth of the Amazon River. Pará has historically served as a gateway between the Atlantic and the interior of the Amazon, particularly during the rubber boom in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The state is deeply shaped by its Amazonian geography and cultural traditions. Indigenous influence remains strong, particularly in river communities, and is evident in crafts, cuisine, and festivals. One of Brazil's largest religious events, the Círio de Nazaré, is held annually in Belém and draws millions of pilgrims. Local cuisine centers around native ingredients such as açaí, manioc, jambu, and river fish like pirarucu and tucunaré, forming a regional culinary identity distinct from other parts of Brazil.

Geographically, Pará is dominated by rainforest, vast river systems, and complex ecological zones, making it central to both the Amazon Basin and Brazil’s environmental policies. Ecotourism has been growing in recent years, with the state offering unique natural and cultural experiences. Marajó Island, located at the mouth of the Amazon, is the world’s largest fluvial-maritime island and is known for its water buffalo herding, ceramic art, and beaches along the Atlantic coast. The Tapajós River region, particularly near Santarém and Alter do Chão, features clear-water tributaries, white-sand river beaches, and relatively preserved forest areas, attracting both domestic and international travelers. National and state parks, such as Amazônia National Park and Serra dos Martírios/Andorinhas State Park, protect important ecological zones and are sites for scientific tourism and community-based conservation projects.

Pará’s economy is based primarily on natural resource extraction, agriculture, and energy production. It is Brazil’s largest producer of iron ore, with vast mining operations in the Carajás Mountains, one of the world’s richest mineral reserves. Hydroelectric power is another major sector, due to the massive Belo Monte Dam on the Xingu River. Agricultural production includes soybeans, black pepper, and tropical fruits, though environmental concerns about expansion into the Amazon are prominent. Logging and cattle ranching, linked to deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest, also remain significant concerns. The port of Vila do Conde, in Barcarena, is a major outlet for mineral and agricultural exports. At the same time, the cities of Belém and Santarém are regional centers for commerce, transportation, and research, particularly in environmental and agricultural sciences.