This is the capital of the Amazonian state of Pará, in the northeast of Brazil and is strategically located at the 250 km wide delta of the Amazon River. Since its foundations in 1616, it is considered to be the historical gateway to the Amazon region.
It is also one of Brazil's busiest ports; about 95 km upriver from the Atlantic Ocean and as being a harbor city it is a very industrialized area.
The river is the Pará, part of the greater Amazon River system, and the city is built on a number of small islands intersected by channels and other rivers.
Belém is a hot and rainy city with very high humidity. It is one of the rainiest cities in the world. The equatorial climate means little variety from day to day, but the wettest months are between January and May. Belém streets are lined with mango trees and one of the points that distinguishes Belém from other cities is its afternoon rain; a daily ritual that has set a city custom - appointments for either before or after the rain.
Due to the growing importance of rubber from the end of the 19th until the beginning of the 20th century, Belém became a very important market place. During this period many important buildings were constructed.
The city has several good museums and restaurants and several distinctive buildings and colorful colonial structures, some with ornate iron gates.
Attracted to the possible job offers, Belém has many poor inhabitants and quite extensive slum areas around it, but the center has quite some pretty places.
One part of Belém contains modern skyscrapers and the other part, the colonial section, has charming tree-filled squares, churches, and traditional blue tiles.
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