Belém

This city is the capital of Pará state in northern Brazil, located at the confluence of the Amazon and Guajará Bay. Streets lined with mango trees run past public gardens and colonial buildings, while modern districts and port facilities spread along the waterfront between river channels and wetlands.

Portuguese forces founded the settlement in 1616 as Fort Feliz Lusitânia to defend against French incursions in northern Brazil. During the 19th century rubber boom, the city grew into a major trading center with connections to Europe and North America.

Ver-o-Peso market, among the largest open markets in Latin America, offers local herbs, fruits, and fish from the Amazon region. Vendors bring their goods by boat directly from surrounding rivers and jungle, while traditional healers sell dried plants and roots for medicinal purposes.

Val de Cans International Airport connects the city to major Brazilian destinations, while the port handles extensive shipping services throughout the Amazon region. Travelers should expect high humidity and frequent rain throughout the year, with mornings often offering the best conditions for exploring.

The Círio de Nazaré procession in October draws more than one million pilgrims to the basilica, with a thick rope pulled by worshippers through the streets. The multi-day celebration includes riverside religious ceremonies where decorated boats accompany the statue of the Madonna across the water.

Location: Pará

Inception: 1616

Elevation above the sea: 10 m

Part of: Greater Belém

Shares border with: Acará, Ananindeua, Barcarena, Cachoeira do Arari, Marituba, Ponta de Pedras, Santa Bárbara do Pará, Santo Antônio do Tauá

Website: http://belem.pa.gov.br

GPS coordinates: -1.45583,-48.50389

Latest update: December 15, 2025 05:45