Manaus, Brazil ~ April 25, 2007
I posted a photo of boats at the Manaus Central Market docks last year, but that was the "travel brochure" shot. In reality, the docks were fascinating and picturesque, but also hot and littered with garbage. The water is the Amazon River. Here at Manaus, the Rio Negro and the Solimoes join together to form the beginning of what we commonly think of as "The Amazon." The trees we see across the water may indicate the opposite bank, or they may be on a very long island marking part of the channel at this point. The width of the river changes vastly depending on the season, and what were once river banks become islands or are completely submerged. According to Wikipedia, "The width of the Amazon varies between 1.6 and 10 kilometres (0.99 and 6.2 mi) at low stage, but expands during the wet season to 48 kilometres (30 mi) or more." I expect that 30 miles is nearer the mouth of the river, but in any season the Amazon has fewer distinct banks than most rivers. I'll include a few more Amazon photos this weekend.
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9 comments:
Okay, so if it isn't really the other side, what is it?
Like the photo! You have really been on some adventures! Thanks for the ongoing tour through all of your travels...
Pat, thanks for asking. I just elaborated and updated the post. It's such an amazing geographical feature. I'll find a few more good photos of it this weekend.
Thanks and wow! I had no idea it was that wide at any point, ever! that is amazing...
Even with all the trash I find this fascinating, but I have this thing for the Amazon! :-)
I think we all want to romanticize things, like show the pretty shots of our vacations, but we have to include the not-so-pretty to get the whole picture.
Thanks for your comments about the Challenger, etc in CVDP. I remember John Kennedy vaguely, Bobbi Kennedy better. Sad days all.
I don't remember it being that wide at Manaus, but at Santarem which is 600 miles up it can be 35 miles wide. At the mouth, at Belem it is 200 miles wide and sends a plume of water into the ocean for 300 miles.
What an interesting conglomeration of boats and trash...colorful, for sure!
The Amazon is quite amazing!
As you know we are from Brazil, and I need to confess that I'm envious here, I have never visit Manaus, I'm impressed of so well elaborated post, your picture is excellent as all important information.
I'm from South of Brazil, I also have lived in São Paulo. Have you already visited Santa Catarina ( Florianópolis is the Capital State)?
There are beautiful beaches in South Brazil.
hugs and a nice week!
Léia
Ah yes... this is how I remember the docks. We also saw a lot of fish mongers there.
I guess you took the cruise from here to see where the two rivers merge? I really should post more pictures from Brazil on my blog. My husband and I spent 4 weeks there traveling around. One of the best adventures I've ever had. I'd go back in an instant!
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