Acre has a border with Bolivia and Peru. It is in the extreme west of Brazil and is a state that still has almost 90% of its natural rainforest.

With an economy based on vegetable extraction – principally that of rubber, which was the prominent spur for the area’s population – the state is a significant producer of Brazil nuts, açaí berry and copaiba oil. Its principal export is wood.

Acreana culture is similar to other northern Brazilian states, with a slant towards the northeast.

By mixing varied traditions from the south and northeast of Brazil, as well as São Paulo and indigenous ethnic groups, Acreana cuisine is highly diverse. Its dishes range from carne-de-sol to pirarucu (a local fish). These dishes are typically accompanied by tucupi, a mandioc root-based sauce.

Approximately 15,000 of Acre’s inhabitants are native Indians living in 32 special reserves and maintaining their traditional lifestyles. Their cultural heritage is visible in their handicrafts and cuisine, influencing the Acreano lifestyle, which is closely linked to the rainforest and its myths.

Travelling along the Paths of Chico Mendes – a union leader known for his fight in defence of the sustainable use of the Amazon’s natural resources and an international icon of his cause, having received the UN 500 Year Global Award – is an excellent way of getting to know this man’s relationship with the rainforest.

Another of the state’s attractions is the Parque Nacional da Serra do Divisor, one of the world’s most biodiverse places.