Ji-Paraná, Regional economic center in Rondônia, Brazil
Ji-Paraná is a city of around 130,000 people in Rondônia state, where streets and neighborhoods spread along both banks of the river that shares its name. The two sides connect through several bridges that link the urban core with outlying areas where residential neighborhoods, markets, and public buildings sit.
Settlement started in the early 1970s when the Brazilian government launched programs to develop the northwest and attract pioneers from other states. Growth accelerated after 1977 when Ji-Paraná gained independent municipality status and evolved from a cluster of logging camps into a regional trade hub.
The name comes from the river itself and means "river of turtles" in the indigenous Tupi language, reflecting the region's connection to native vocabulary and wildlife. Many residents work in agriculture or trade, shaping daily life around livestock auctions and crop cycles that define the rhythm of this frontier town.
Travelers reach the city through José Coleto Airport or overland roads that connect it to other parts of Rondônia. Hotels, restaurants, and shops sit mostly in the central district, where most services are within walking distance.
A heart-shaped island forms where the Machado and Urupá rivers meet, earning the city its nickname Heart of Rondônia. Visitors can spot this natural feature from bridges or elevated viewpoints around the confluence zone.
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