Manaus is a modern, growing city, dominating Brazil's largest frontier. Before the rubber boom of the 19th century, Manaus was a small, insignificant town. With rubber came rich and splendid architectural accomplishments like the Amazonas Theater (completed in 1896 and restored in 1929) with its neoclassic faade and art nouveau interior including paintings by Capranesi and De Angelis. The green, yellow, blue and red dome is made up of tiles of tropical decor. Today, Manaus is a meeting point for people from all over the world.

In this cosmopolitan city, sophisticated dressers mingle with the shabbier unemployed from the surrounding suburbs. Downtown, the Plaza de Mayo is the traditional focus of activity, and lately has been the scene of mass protests against the government's handling of the economic crisis. Nearby Avenida 9 de Julio is popularly known as the world's widest thoroughfare and is truly a pedestrian's nightmare. Avenida Santa Fe is the most fashionable shopping area.

Manaus is the ideal point of departure for visiting the rest of the Amazon region. Tour boats leave Manaus for day trips to the meeting of waters where the black waters of the Negro River meet the lighter waters of the Solimões River flowing side by side without mixing for several miles.

Visitors can also explore river banks and "igarapés", swim and canoe in placid lakes, or simply walk in the lush forest. The more adventurous may even choose to spend a night or two in the jungle in close contact with nature.