What Is The Capital Of Amapá, Brazil?

Amapá is the 18th largest and the second least populous state in Brazil. It is located in the northern region of the country sharing a border with French Guiana to the North, Suriname to the northwest, Paraguay to the west and the south, and the Atlantic to the East. Ninety percent of Amapá State is covered by the Amazon rainforest of which 70% is unexplored.

Macapá is the capital and the largest city in Amapá. The cities of the state are smaller compared to other states in Brazil due to restrictions placed on development to conserve and prevent the destruction of the Amazon. Macapá lies along the northern channel of the Amazon River near the Atlantic. It is linked to other cities within the state by road, but the only road access from outside the state is from French Guiana. The equator runs through Macapá dividing the city into northern and southern sections.

Demographics Of The Capital Of The Amapá State

Macapá is inhabited by about half a million people making it the third largest metropolitan in the northern region. About 60% of the population of the state resides within the city of Macapá accounting for 4% of the population of the entire northern region of the country. Roughly 98% of the population resides in an urban environment while 2% live in a rural setting. Portuguese is the national and official language and is therefore spoken by a majority of the people and the language used in schools. However, French and English are becoming popular languages in the high school curriculum because of the state's proximity to Guyana and French Guiana.

Economy

Macapá is the economic hub of northern Brazil and the commercial center of Amapá state. Timber, oil, tin ore, lumber, iron, and gold from the countryside pass through the city en route to Port Santana in the Municipality of Santana. Macapá has a per-capita GDP of R$ 19,935.32; the lowest of the Brazilian capitals.

Transportation

Macapá has fewer roads compared to other Brazilian capitals and connects to the rest of the country by sea and air. It is located 214 miles from the city of Belem, but the inland island of Marajó prevents the construction of a direct highway between the two capitals. The Brazilian Federal Highway BR-156 connects Macapá to French Guiana and is the only highway out of the State. The Macapá International Airport operates commercial flights from other cities and outside the Country.

Geography And Climate

The Macapá Municipality encompasses the 111-hectare Parazinho Biological Reserve established in 1985 to safeguard the islands of the Amazon River. It also hosts the Rio Curiaú Environmental Protection Area Established in 1992 to preserve a cultural area near the city from urban degradation. The city receives heavy rainfall because it is located near the Amazon tropical rainforest. The wet season lasts from December to August, but a considerable amount of rain is received even during the dry season.