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Pará

The Portuguese colonization in Pará State only occurred in 1616, with the foundation of Presépio Fortress – today, Castle Fortress – at Guajará bay, which originated the city of Belém. Before that, the region had been invaded many times by the Dutch and the English, seeking pepper; guaraná, a tree from which a powder is produced and used as a stimulant; and annato seeds, a fruit used for cooking, as a sunscreen and also for dye extraction.

Pará State has very few areas destitute of Amazonic Forest, such as the region of the lower Trombetas River and Marajó Island – the biggest fluvial-maritime island in the world, with 50 thousand km2 of extension. Its territory has one of the largest mining areas in the Country, located at Carajás Mountains, a mining province where the Ferro Carajás Project is based, from Companhia Vale do Rio Doce. The complex produces 35 million tons of ore a year, exporting the product to many countries, among them Japan, Germany, Italy, France and Spain.

Encompassing a huge territory, with countless islands, lakes, beaches and mountains, the beauties of Pará State split the attention of those who arrive to visit. The capital, Belém, has two thirds of its territory composed of islands; it is located at the Tocantins River margins. The biggest feast in Pará State happens there, Círio de Nazaré (Nazareth Taper). Festivities start on the second Sunday in the month of October and pay homage to Our Lady of Nazareth, patron saint of the State. Organized since 1793, at present it gathers around 1,5 million of followers, who go on a procession through the city on a huge suite to the Nazaré Basilica, where the image is worshipped.

The second biggest city in the State, Santarém, has as major attraction the clash of the waters of the Tapajós and Amazonas rivers, two of the main rivers in the State. From there they run together towards the ocean, however, curiously, without mixing with each other.

The mining sector represents 14% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the State, originated mainly from the extraction of iron, bauxite, manganese, limestone and tin, as well as gold, until recently extracted from one of the largest mines of recent history: Serra Pelada. The State of Pará has its economy based also on vegetal extraction, on agriculture and cattle raising; thanks to the rich soil and the important hydrographic basin – boats are the main means of transport in the region.  

Besides all the natural wealth, the State of Pará also shelters a valuable cultural treasure, about 40 indigenous groups, scattered through and area of over 23 million hectares. Of these, more than eight million have been delimited by Funai (National Foundation of the Indian), ensuring security and preservation of that space. Among the biggest indigenous communities there are the Andira Marau, Munduruku and the Kayapó.

Boat trips, ehtnic tourism and many other natural beauties are waiting for you in Pará State. Come, and become a fan!

Services
Tourism Office of Pará State
http://www.paratur.pa.gov.br/