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Manaus, Brazil July 1997.
Located 1000 miles (1610 km) upstream from the mouth of the Amazon River is the growing city of
Manaus. Manaus sits on the north bank of the Rio Negro 12 miles (18 km) from where it joins the
Amazon River. Manaus is the chief commercial and cultural center of the middle and upper Amazon
Basin and is an important river port. During the 1800's and early 1900's, it was the important
city during the rubber boom of that era. With the rubber boom collapse, the city sank into
decay, obscurity, and poverty. When the city was declared a free trade zone in the middle
1960's, Manaus became revitalized with new industry, rapid growth, and escalating prosperity.
Manaus's growth and prosperity were further enhanced with the discovery of oil nearby. The city
now has a population of over one million people. Manaus continues to grow and expanded and is
fast becoming one of Brazil's most important commercial, industrial, and banking cities. The
Amazon River is visible entering the scene from midway between the bottom left and left center
(west) exiting the scene just below the center right (east). The Rio Negro enters the scene at
the left center (northwest) of the image.
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