The world is vast, and it's full of wonders.
In order to explore the mysteries of nature, some people venture to the ends of the earth, visiting places like the North and South Poles, Iceland, Greenland, Madagascar, Cape of Good Hope in Africa, the Sahara Desert, and Ushuaia in South America.
However, there's one place many people hesitate to visit, and that's Manaus, located deep in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest.
This city is situated in northern Brazil, specifically serving as the capital of the Amazonas state. Nestled on the left bank of the Rio Negro, a tributary of the Amazon River, Manaus is a central urban hub in the Amazon basin and a core area of the Amazon rainforest.
Despite being inland and far from the coast, Manaus is a free trade port city where ships weighing thousands of tons can navigate through the Amazon River channels to reach it.
Today, Manaus covers an area of about 14,300 square kilometers, roughly equivalent to the size of Beijing, with a population of around 1.5 million, making it the largest city for hundreds of kilometers around.
Manaus initially thrived on the rubber industry, but later, with the establishment of a free trade zone, it saw development in industry, trade, and gradually became a tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world.
Surrounded by rivers and tropical rainforests, the urban area of Manaus resembles an island in nature.
From Manaus, one can travel in various directions into the Amazon rainforest.
In the minds of tourists, the Amazon rainforest is a "must-visit" destination, considered one of the ultimate destinations for all travelers.
Some call it the last sacred place on Earth, which speaks to its uniqueness.
For travelers heading to the Amazon rainforest from around the world, Manaus is the preferred destination. From above, Manaus is separated from the tropical rainforest by just one road.
On one side of the road lies the mysterious tropical rainforest, while on the other side lies the modern city blocks. Many tourists visit this road to experience the stark contrast between these two worlds.
Some tourists believe that anything is possible in the Amazon rainforest. It's full of unknowns, where beauty and danger coexist, making it an awe-inspiring place.
Therefore, when traveling there, it's essential to go with a guided tour and not venture alone, or alternatively, explore the sights within the urban area of Manaus.
Some tourists have shared their experiences of encountering anacondas while hiking with tour guides in the rainforest. These encounters with the thick-bodied anacondas were terrifying.
Once, they accidentally stepped on a sleeping anaconda during a hike, and both parties remained at a standstill for over ten minutes. Eventually, the anaconda left on its own due to the presence of many people.
Despite the dangers present in the Amazon rainforest, it remains a place of longing for many.
After all, it is the largest tropical rainforest on Earth, covering an area of 7 million square kilometers.
Brazil owns 60% of it, while the remainder extends into Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, and Suriname.
This vast rainforest is shrouded in mystery.
The Amazon rainforest is renowned as the "kingdom of flora and fauna" and the "lungs of the Earth."
Such a place requires both exploration and collective protection.
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