Pará
The second-largest state in Brazil, Pará, has the highest population in the northern region of the country.
Once belonging to Spain at the time of the Treaty of Tordesilhas, the territory passed into the hands of the Portuguese, who, in an effort to consolidate their presence in the region, founded the fort of Presépio in the then-titled city of Santa Maria de Belém do Grão-Pará.
In the 1600s, the region, which at the time was a part of the captaincy of Maranão, started to prosper thanks to farming and agriculture. In 1751, the state of Grão-Pará was created with the expansion to the west. The economy increased over the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century with the historic Rubber Cycle. In the 60s, the state had another boost to its prosperity with the development of its agricultural activities. In the 70s, growth continued with mine exploration, particularly for Iron in the Serra dos Carajás and Gold in the Serra Pelada.
With beautiful natural landscapes, there are countless options for nature tourism.
The island of Marajó has river beaches with calm water, bush and bayous, and buffalo farms—an animal featured in Pará’s cuisine, handicrafts, and local forms of transport.
The capital, Belém, has an adequate infrastructure for tourists to visit the historic town centre, its port area at the margins of the Marajó Bay and the surrounding areas.
Places such as Santarém, the birthplace of the Tapajós indigenous people, and the Alter do Chão village, with its River Beaches with clear water and white sand, invite tourists to the region for adventure and relaxation.
Another highlight of the state is the Tapajós National Forest, a 600-thousand-hectare conservation area with varied fauna and centuries-old trees, including castanheiras and andirobas.
Maranhense gastronomy is strongly influenced by indigenous culture, not only in the way dishes are prepared but also in their names, such as maniçoba, tacacá, and the famous pato no tucupi, a yellow sauce extracted from mandioc root, which is the base for the local gastronomy.
Regional craft is significant for items inspired by indigenous peoples, which use seeds and other naturally found raw materials.
Paraense culture is marked, above all, by its traditional dances, such as the Carimbó, and for legendary characters from the Amazon, such as the boto and the uirapuru.
The natural landscapes, the colours, and the people’s happiness make Pará an underrated destination in Brazil, but it can surprise those who visit.
