Manacapuru

Manacapuru is a Brazilian municipality in the Manaus Metropolitan Region, in the state of Amazonas. It is the third most populous city in the state with 101,883 inhabitants, according to the 2022 Brazilian Census conducted by the IBGE. Situated on the banks of the Solimões River, 93 kilometers from Manaus by road, the main access to the city is via the Manoel Urbano Highway, where the Rio Negro Bridge is located, playing a crucial role in the integration and development of Greater Manaus.

The municipality covers an area of 7,336.579 km², representing 0.4705% of the Amazonas state area, 0.1903% of the Northern Region, and 0.0862% of the entire Brazilian territory. Manacapuru has an average annual minimum temperature of 24 °C and a maximum of 35 °C. The vegetation, typical of the Amazon region, consists of floodplain and upland forests, with a landscape of lakes, islets, and a small hill range surrounding it.

Founded in 1786, it originated from a Mura indigenous village, pacified in 1785, which settled on the left bank of the Solimões River in the 18th century, giving rise to the locality. Manacapuru is nationally known as the Little Princess of the Solimões, a nickname it has held since the mid-19th century. Many of its natural attractions are nationally recognized, as is its traditional cultural festival, the Manacapuru Ciranda Festival, making the municipality one of the most visited by tourists in the Amazon.

Manacapuru has the third largest GDP in Amazonas, accounting for 1.35% of the state's total GDP. Its Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.614, considered below the national average but medium compared to the HDI of the state, which was 0.674. In 2022, the municipality had 66 healthcare facilities (hospitals, primary healthcare units, and medical clinics). Its patron saint is Our Lady of Nazareth, and the Our Lady of Nazareth Church is the city's main landmark.