Belem

BELEM

Our last stop in Amazonia was the city of Belem on the delta of the Amazon. It is a city of 2 million, established in the 1900’s by the rubber boom. At one time the rubber latex industry covered 39% of the economy.

Belem is a rough, tough, dirty, third world city. There is much crime, poverty and theft. Our captain instructed us not to wear any jewelry, including watches, and to leave our larger cameras on the ship. The buildings are in a state of decay. Due to the rainforest climate, wood does not last long so structures deteriorate quickly.

Important landmarks include the Ver o Peso market with its fish, fruit, vegetables and live fowl in cages, the Church of Notre Senhora de Nazare and the Emilio Goeldi Museum and botanical garden. There is a modern Hilton Hotel in the center of the city.