Afuá, Car-free municipality in Pará, Brazil.
Afuá is a municipality in the Marajó Archipelago at the mouth of the Cajari River, with an area of around 8,372 square kilometers (3,234 sq mi). The entire town is built on wooden stilts above water, connected by elevated wooden walkways and boardwalks.
The municipality was founded in 1891 during the Amazon rubber boom, when economic activity brought growth to the region. This era shaped how the settlement expanded and developed.
The settlement reflects the traditions of Marajó communities, visible in how residents celebrate local holidays and prepare traditional foods together. These customs shape the daily rhythm and give the place its distinctive character.
Getting around town requires walking or bicycles, as cars are not permitted anywhere in the municipality. Reaching the settlement means traveling by boat or small aircraft from other areas.
The entire settlement floats on wooden stilts, allowing residents to fish directly from their homes during daily life. This water-based design lets the town move with seasonal flooding patterns of the Amazon region.
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