Amazon River

Amazonas state, Brazil

[ June 2004 ]

Amazonia is the world's largest dense tropical forest area. Since the 16th century the original indigenous people have been virtually pushed away or exterminated. New generations of settlers have not become fully adapted to the wild tropical climate and rough conditions so far. They are caught in the jungle towns with no hope to escape. Food and supplies distribution in Amazonia depends only on the river boat transport.


The Amazon rain forest is the largest dense tropical forest area in the world.
Amazonia is very sparsely populated.


The Amazon rain forest is the largest dense tropical forest area in the world. Amazonia is very sparsely populated.



The riverport in Belém (Pará state, northern Brazil) is the entrance gate to Amazonia.

The riverport in Belém (Pará state, northern Brazil) is the entrance gate to Amazonia.



Poliomyelitis (polio) disease is still widely seen in the whole Amazonia territory.

Poliomyelitis (polio) disease is still widely seen in the whole Amazonia territory.



Ver-o-Peso market (Check-the-weight) in the port of Belém. Medicinal herbs, fruits, meat, fish, crafts and spices are sold there.

Ver-o-Peso market (Check-the-weight) in the port of Belém. Medicinal herbs, fruits, meat, fish, crafts and spices are sold there.



Homeless tattooed man is proudly showing his body art on the street of Belém.

Homeless tattooed man is proudly showing his body art on the street of Belém.



Indian kids in their one-person canoe are coming near big transport ships begging for candies.

Indian kids in their one-person canoe are coming near big transport ships begging for candies.



Strong and lasting rains are very common in Amazonia. They make the small river communities muddy and hardly habitable.

Strong and lasting rains are very common in Amazonia. They make the small river communities muddy and hardly habitable.



Amazon kids in their canoes cross the river up and down using the big boats like a lift. Usually they try to sell some jungle fruits or bananas to the boat passengers.

Amazon kids in their canoes cross the river up and down using the big boats like a lift. Usually they try to sell some jungle fruits or bananas to the boat passengers.



The city of Manaus is an industrial hub deep in the Amazon jungle. Due to its isolation, it is very difficult to move off.

The city of Manaus is an industrial hub deep in the Amazon jungle. Due to its isolation, it is very difficult to move off.



The living standards in Manaus neighborhoods are similar to other South American mega-cities.

The living standards in Manaus neighborhoods are similar to other South American mega-cities.



Food and supplies distribution in Amazonia basically depends only on the river boat transport.

Food and supplies distribution in Amazonia basically depends only on the river boat transport.



Descendants of the Amazonian indigenous people are increasingly adopting Christian religion.

Descendants of the Amazonian indigenous people are increasingly adopting Christian religion.



Most people in Amazonia live off fishing. Jungle soil is too poor to run a regular agriculture.

Most people in Amazonia live off fishing. Jungle soil is too poor to run a regular agriculture.



Supplies carriers from the river boat during the arm wrestling combat.

Supplies carriers from the river boat during the arm wrestling combat.



Indian girl protecting herself by umbrella from the tropical weather in Amazonia.

Indian girl protecting herself by umbrella from the tropical weather in Amazonia.



Amazon River

Amazonas state, Brazil

Photography & text; Copyright © Jan Sochor
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