Rio Branco – The Capital Of Brazil's Acre State

Acre is a Brazilian state that is situated in the westernmost part of Brazil with a 2 hour time difference from Brasilia. Acre is part of the northern region of the country. The state is surrounded by Loreto, Ucayali, Madre de Dios (Peru), Pando (Bolivia), Rondonia, and Amazonas. Acre occupies an area of about 58,912 square miles with a population of approximately 769,265 people. The state is inhabited by numerous indigenous groups including Xanenawa, Jaminawa, and Kashinawa. Acre has various nicknames including, the Western End, the Latex State, The Rubber Tree State, and the End of Brazil.

What Is The Capital Of Acre?

Rio Branco is the largest and the capital of Acre. The city is situated in the valley of River Acre in the northern parts of Brazil. It was one of the first settlements to be established on River Acre’s banks. Rio Branco became a county in 1913 before becoming the capital of Acre territory in 1920. The city became the state capital of Acre in 1962. Rio Branco is the most populous city in Acre with over 319,825 residents by 2011. The city is a commercial center that exports furniture, timber, Brazil nut, medicinal plants, rubber and metals. Alcohol and petroleum are also processed in Rio Branco. Rio Branco is linked by air and road with Manaus and Brasilia.

Geography Of Rio Branco

The Acre River bisects the Rio Branco into two districts (the First and Second districts). Acre River has 6 bridges with Catwalk Joaquim-Nacedo being the newest bridge built. Rio Branco is surrounded by Sena Madureira to the west, Senador Guiomard to the east, Placido de Castro, Capixaba, and Xapuri to the south, and Porto Acre and Bujari to the north. Acre is home to part of the Chico-Mendes Extraction Reserve (a 2,301,878 acres reserve that is situated in the Amazon biome).

Climate Of Rio Branco

Rio Branco experiences a tropical monsoon climate with the temperature ranging from 23°C to 33°C in the hottest days. The lowest temperature is usually recorded at night, with daily records of 22°C at dawn. The hottest time of the year is from December to March when the city records a high of about 38°C. Rio Branco experiences cooler weather from May to August when the temperature drops to around 15°C. The city registered the lowest recorded temperature of about 9.8°C on July 19, 2010. Rio Branco records very long wet seasons that span from October to May and a short dry season that lasts for only 4 months. Rio Branco receives its heaviest rain of about 8 inches per month from December to March.

Demographics Of Rio Branco

Rio Branco is one of the most populous Brazilian cities which had over 315,825 inhabitants by 2011 and a population density of about 85 individuals per square mile. 48.2% of the residents were women while 51% were men in 2000. The 2000 census also confirmed that 7.22% of the residents live in rural areas while 92.73% of the locals reside in urban areas of the city. Rio Branco’s residents represent about 0.16% of the country’s population.