The Amazonian Forest, the world's largest equatorial forest, occupies an area of over 6 million km2 spread over nine countries. Most of it - around 60% - is in Brazil. It is divided into two large halves by the Amazon River, navigable by large vessels for over 6,500 kilometres from Belém in Pará, at its estuary in the Atlantic Ocean, to Iquitos in Peru. A result of the confluence of two of its largest tributaries, the Negro and the Solimões, the Amazon is the main drainage channel in this kingdom of water, where a huge network of rivers, river banks and lakes forms natural roads and covers the largest fresh water reserve of the planet - around 20% of the total. Between the large rivers - or main highways - are the Branco, Jari, Japurá, Javari, Juruá, Purus, Madeira, Tapajós, Tocantins, Trombetas and Xingu rivers.

For intending travellers to Amazonia, the greatest spectacle offered by nature is its exuberant flora owing to the strong connection between the forest and the river. Despite the huge diversity of wildlife, fauna is difficult to see owing to the characteristics of tropical forests. However, the estimated over 2,000 species of fish makes Amazonia one of the main Brazilian destinations for sport fishing and watching ornamental fish. From the cultural point of view, the greatest interest lies in the traditional communities - or forest peoples: rubber gatherers, 'caboclos' (mixed bloods), riverbank dwellers and indigenous communities. Visits to the latter are prohibited.

The best way of getting to know this water world is by means of river cruises, or by staying at one of the various jungle lodges. With temperatures normally above 20 ºC and owing to the characteristics of the humid forest, the best time to visit Amazonia is "summer" - June to October - when the humidity of the area is lower.

Amazonia may be visited from Manaus, a city situated on the left bank of the Negro River, near the confluence with the Solimões River. These two rivers form the Amazon in a natural spectacle of rare beauty, the "meeting of waters", in which the dark waters of the Negro meet the muddy waters of the Solimões and they run side by side without mixing for miles and miles.

Another important way into Amazonia is Belém, the largest city on the Equator, situated on one of the branches of the Amazon River, near its outlet into the Atlantic. The capital of the State of Pará is also near Marajó Island, where there are many possibilities for ecotourism routes along the rivers, channels, riverbanks and mangrove swamps on this island with an area equal to Denmark and larger than the State of Rio de Janeiro.

Other important access cities to Amazonia are Alta Floresta, Boa Vista, Macapá, Rio Branco and Santarém.

Situated in the Central West of Brazil, the Pantanal marshlands cover around 250,000 km2, straddling the States of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, in addition to a part of Southern Bolivia and Northern Paraguay. It is the Brazilian ecosystem where fauna may be best observed, especially birds, of which there are over 600 species, more than all the species existing in Europe.

The jabiru, with its red crop, white plumage, dark thin legs, black head and beak is considered to be the typical bird of the Pantanal and it is the delight of photo safaris, alongside the macaws, eagles, roseate spoonbills, wood storks, rheas, herons, sparrow-hawks, parrots, divers, teals, toucans and so forth. The best time for birdwatching is May to October, when flights of birds and natural aviaries house up to 5,000 individuals.

In the rainy season - March to October - the rivers burst their banks, in some places reaching up to 3 metres above the riverbed in January and February, flooding this huge alluvial plain, the rivers form bays and outlets, creating islands where the animals take refuge. Among mammals the most easily observed are the capybara, the world's largest rodent, which weighs up to 60 kilos when adult and can be seen in bands of up to 10 to 100 individuals, in addition to anteaters, deer, white-lipped peccaries, tapirs, various species of otters and five species of monkeys. The jaguar, the largest feline of the Americas, lives in the forests, although it is difficult to spot owing to its nocturnal habits.

Sport fishing, allowed outside spawning time (generally between September and January) is one of the activities in greatest demand in this peculiar ecosystem and in its rivers, such as the Cuiabá, Paraguay, Pixaim, Mutum, Taquari and São Lourenço. With around 300 species of fish, one can catch Amazon catfish, snappers, Platystomatichthys, Bagrus reticulatus, Brycon nattereri and Brycon orbignianus, in addition to the famous and dreaded piranha - the soup of which, a typical local dish, is considered to be an aphrodisiac.

Another famous and plentiful animal of the Pantanal is the alligator, which can be seen warming itself in the sun on the banks of lagoons and rivers. They are the high points of night outings, when their eyes reflect the light of the torches of guides and ecotourists. Other reptiles are also found in the Pantanal, including chameleons, teju lizards, land turtles, anacondas and boa constrictors.

In the Pantanal it is also possible to go on river cruises on boats generally used for fishing and which sail mainly on the rivers Paraguay, Taquari, Cuiabá and São Lourenço, on routes which combine fishing, animal watching and visits to refuges and natural reserves.

In describing the Pantanal, we must not omit to mention the important and well adapted presence of man, on beef cattle ranches, where the cowboy rules with his rustic ways, culture and a rich folk tradition.