Get to know Brazil's World Cup host city Manaus

For one month, Brazil will be putting its best cleated foot forward as the world turns its attention to the bustling, colorful country for the duration of the FIFA World Cup.

For the uninitiated, it’s also a prime opportunity to become acquainted with the richly diverse economic powerhouse.

On Sunday, June 22, the US and Portugal will face off in a heated battle in Manaus, the capital city of Amazonas state. Here’s a primer on the host city, set in one of the most remarkable regions in the world.

Location: In the heart of the world’s biggest rainforest, the Amazon, where the Negro River meets Solimoes River in northern Brazil

Nickname: “Paris of the Tropics,” “City of the Forest”

Temperature: Equatorial, varying between 13 C and 37 C

Population: 1.8 million

Interesting facts: To understand what makes Manaus a particularly remarkable destination, one has to understand the scope of its state, Amazonas.

With an area that spans 1.5 million square kilometers, Brazil’s biggest state is the size of France, Spain, Sweden and Greece combined.

As a gateway to the biggest rainforest on the planet, Manaus is home to an incredibly rich diversity of plant life, birds, insects, fish and wildlife. The area is said to represent 20 percent of the world’s freshwater reserves, and is home to valuable mining, gas and oil deposits.

More than any other urban center in Brazil, it’s said that Manaus has made the biggest effort to preserve the traditions of indigenous Brazilian tribes.

In the 19th century, Manaus was a hub for the rubber industry, and an economic powerhouse for Brazil. Today, the city is an industrial and technological hub.

manaus

The city's main square

To see and do:

The meeting of the rivers One of the biggest and best spectacles Manaus has to offer, the meeting of the Negro and Solimoes rivers is described as a majestic, awe-inspiring sight. For about 6 km, the dark colored waters of the Negro and the muddy waters of the Solimoes flow side by side without mixing. The best way to witness the natural phenomenon is to take a boat ride, between January and July.

Ponta Negra Beach Not far from the city center, the beach features sports courts, a playground, boardwalk, bars and restaurants.

Amazon Theater The landmark dates back to 1896 and symbolizes the region’s prosperity during the rubber boom. All the materials used to construct the theater came from Europe. The theater is the city’s main concert hall. Mercado Municipal. Inspired by the former Les Halles marketplace in Paris, Mercado Municipal is one of the largest open markets in the city and sells fresh fruits, spices, fish and souvenirs.