National Forest Tapajós, National forest in Pará, Brazil.

The Tapajós National Forest covers 549,066.87 hectares in western Pará, spanning the municipalities of Belterra, Aveiro, Rurópolis and Placas. Along the Tapajós River its banks rise about 100 metres, cut by ravines and deep valleys, while flat ground floods each rainy season. Farther inland the forest sits on the Tapajós-Xingu plateau at 120 to 170 metres, and the Moju River rises within its bounds.

The Brazilian government created this protected forest area in 1974 with the goal of promoting sustainable management and safeguarding the Amazon region's natural resources. Its establishment reflected growing concerns about preserving the rainforest ecosystem.

Several indigenous communities live and work within this forest, maintaining traditional ways while participating in conservation efforts through sustainable harvesting of natural resources.

You can reach this forest from Santarém or Alter do Chão, with guided tours organized from riverside villages such as Maguarí, Jamaraquá, and São Domingo. Prepare for hot, humid tropical conditions and check with local guides to find the best time and routes for your visit.

Scientists conduct a large research experiment here that measures carbon dioxide and water exchange to understand how the Amazon ecosystem responds to environmental changes. This work provides important data for global climate understanding.