Rio Branco, Brazil

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Rio Branco, Brazil

Region: Acre


Geographic Coordinates: -9.974700, -67.810000
Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 35.0°C (68°F to 95°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with high humidity and rainfall throughout the year, with a wet season from December to May and a dry season from June to November.
Population: 413418
Language: Portuguese

Rio Branco is the capital city of the Brazilian state of Acre, Located in the western part of the country near the border with Peru and Bolivia. The city was founded in 1912 by José Plácido de Castro, Who was Marshal Cândido Rondon’s assistant and after whom it is named. Rio Branco is known for its rich cultural heritage, Natural beauty, And vibrant lifestyle. The city has a tropical climate with an average temperature of around 26°C (79°F). The rainy season lasts from November to April while May to October are relatively dry months.

Rio Branco is surrounded by lush forests and rivers that provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, Fishing, And canoeing. One of Rio Branco’s most popular attractions is Parque da Maternidade – a beautiful park located in the heart of the city. It features a large artificial lake where visitors can rent paddle boats or simply relax on one of its many benches. There are also several walking trails that lead through dense forest areas where visitors can spot exotic birds and other wildlife.

Another must-visit attraction in Rio Branco is Mercado Velho – a historic market that dates back to 1929. Here you can find everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts made by local artisans. The market also hosts several food stalls serving traditional Brazilian dishes such as feijoada (a stew made with black beans and pork) and tapioca (a type of pancake made from cassava flour). For those interested in learning about Acre’s history and culture, Museu da Borracha provides an excellent opportunity to do so.

This museum showcases artifacts related to rubber extraction which was once one of Acre’s primary industries. Visitors can learn about how rubber was extracted from trees using primitive methods before being shipped off to Europe. Rio Branco is also home to several festivals throughout the year including Carnaval which takes place every February or March. During this time, The city comes alive with music, Dancing, And colorful parades. Other popular festivals include Festa Junina (June Festival) which celebrates the harvest season and features traditional dances such as quadrilha.

Overall, Rio Branco is a vibrant and culturally rich city that offers something for everyone. From its natural beauty to its historic landmarks and lively festivals, It is a destination worth exploring for anyone visiting Brazil’s western region.



Important Landmarks

  1. Parque Ambiental Chico Mendes (Chico Mendes Environmental Park)
  2. Palácio Rio Branco (Rio Branco Palace)
  3. Memorial dos Autonomistas (Autonomists Memorial)
  4. Museu da Borracha (Rubber Museum)
  5. Mercado Velho (Old Market)
  6. Catedral Nossa Senhora de Nazaré (Our Lady of Nazareth Cathedral)
  7. Teatro Plácido de Castro (Plácido de Castro Theater)
  8. Horto Florestal de Rio Branco (Rio Branco Forest Garden)
  9. Praça da Revolução/Novo Mercado Velho
  10. Centro Cultural do Tribunal Regional Federal da 1ª Região

Primary Industries

  1. Agriculture: Rio Branco is renowned for its production of rubber, cocoa, coffee, and other agricultural products.
  2. Timber: The city has a significant timber industry that produces wood for construction and furniture.
  3. Manufacturing: Several manufacturing companies in the city produce textiles, shoes, and other consumer goods.
  4. Services: The service sector is also a significant contributor to the economy of Rio Branco with banking, healthcare, education, tourism being some of the major services offered.
  5. Mining: Companies operating in the region mine minerals such as tin ore found in reserves located in Acre state where Rio Branco is situated.
  6. Energy: Hydroelectric power plants generate electricity for residents living near or around the city.
  7. Construction: Due to growing urbanization over recent years there has been an increase in construction activities including building new homes and commercial spaces to meet demand from new residents moving to the area.

Noteable History

  1. The city was founded in 1882 by the Bolivian rubber baron Luis Gálvez Rodríguez de Arias.
  2. In 1903, the Acre War broke out between Bolivia and Brazil over control of the Acre region, which included Rio Branco. Brazil eventually won control of the region.
  3. Chico Mendes, a prominent environmental activist and defender of Amazon rainforest communities, was born in Rio Branco in 1944.
  4. In 1975, Rio Branco became the capital of the newly created state of Acre.
  5. The city has experienced significant economic growth due to its location on the border with Peru and Bolivia, as well as its role as a transportation hub for goods traveling to and from Manaus along the Amazon River.
  6. Notable landmarks in Rio Branco include Parque da Maternidade (a large park), Palácio do Governo (the state government palace), Museu da Borracha (a museum dedicated to rubber production), and Catedral Nossa Senhora de Nazaré (a Catholic cathedral).
  7. Other notable figures from Rio Branco include Brazilian footballer Tiãozinho Fonseca and musician João Donato de Oliveira Neto.

Museums and Things To See

  1. Memorial dos Autonomistas: a monument dedicated to the founders of Acre state’s autonomy movement.
  2. Museu da Borracha: a museum that showcases the history of rubber production in Acre state.
  3. Parque Ambiental Chico Mendes: a park named after the environmental activist, Chico Mendes, that offers hiking trails and educational exhibits.
  4. Palácio Rio Branco: a historic palace that serves as the seat of government for Acre state.
  5. Teatro Plácido de Castro: an art center that hosts theater productions, concerts, and other cultural events.
  6. Biblioteca Pública Estadual do Acre: a public library with an extensive collection of books and local historical documents.
  7. Catedral Nossa Senhora de Nazaré: a beautiful cathedral located in the city center.
  8. Casa dos Povos da Floresta: an exhibition space dedicated to showcasing indigenous cultures from around Brazil and Latin America.
  9. Mercado Velho de Rio Branco: an old market where visitors can find traditional handicrafts and souvenirs from the region.


Sports Teams

  1. Rio Branco Football Club was founded in 1919 and is one of the oldest and most successful football clubs in Acre. They have won numerous state championships and have also competed at the national level.
  2. Atlético Acreano was founded in 1952 and is another popular football club from Rio Branco. They have won several state championships and were promoted to Brazil’s fourth division in 2017.
  3. Plácido de Castro Esporte Clube was founded in 1999 and has quickly become one of the top football clubs in Acre, winning multiple state championships.
  4. Vasco da Gama Esporte Clube, despite sharing their name with one of Brazil’s biggest football clubs (CR Vasco da Gama), has a much smaller following than its namesake from Rio de Janeiro. They were founded in 1976 and currently compete at the amateur level.
  5. Basquete Cearense, a basketball team that moved to Rio Branco from Fortaleza (in northeastern Brazil) in 2018, has managed to gain a loyal fanbase despite basketball not being as popular as football in Brazil.


Cultural Events

  1. Festival da Mandioca (Cassava Festival) celebrates the importance of cassava in Brazilian cuisine with food stalls, music, and dance performances.
  2. Expoacre is a large agricultural fair featuring livestock exhibitions, agricultural technology displays, and cultural events.
  3. Festival de Inverno (Winter Festival) is a celebration of the arts with concerts, theater performances, and art exhibits.
  4. Parada do Orgulho LGBT (LGBT Pride Parade) is an annual parade celebrating diversity and promoting LGBTQ+ rights.
  5. Carnaval de Rio Branco is a colorful carnival celebration featuring samba parades, music concerts, and street parties.
  6. Festa Junina (June Festivals) are traditional Brazilian festivals held throughout the month of June to celebrate Saint John’s Day with food stalls selling typical dishes like corn on the cob and hot cocoa.
  7. Dia Nacional da Cultura (National Culture Day) is celebrated on November 5th with cultural activities such as music concerts, theater performances, and art exhibits.
  8. Natal Luz (Christmas Lights) is a festive event held during December featuring holiday lights displays along Avenida Ceará in downtown Rio Branco along with Christmas-themed markets selling gifts and decorations for the season.

Cuisine

  • Churrascaria Tchê: This restaurant is known for its delicious Brazilian BBQ and buffet, making it a must-visit for meat lovers.
  • Casa do Norte: Here you can enjoy traditional dishes from the northern region of Brazil, including tapioca and carne de sol (sun-dried beef).
  • Restaurante do Zezinho: A popular spot for lunch, this restaurant serves regional dishes like arroz com pequi (rice with a native fruit) and galinha caipira (free-range chicken).
  • Empório Rio Branco: This gourmet market offers a variety of local products such as cheese, honey, and cachaça (Brazilian rum).
  • Sorveteria Ponto Chic: A favorite among locals, this ice cream parlor serves unique flavors like cupuaçu (a tropical fruit) and açai.
  • Bodega do Sertão: This cozy bar specializes in regional beers and snacks like pão de queijo (cheese bread) and pastel de carne seca (dried beef pastry).

  • Parks and Recreation

    1. Parque Ambiental Chico Mendes is a large park that features walking trails, a lake, and a small zoo.
    2. Parque da Maternidade is a popular park that offers playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas for visitors to enjoy.
    3. Horto Florestal is a botanical garden that boasts hiking trails and scenic views of the city.
    4. Complexo de Lazer e Entretenimento Wild West is an amusement park where people of all ages can enjoy rides and games.
    5. Estádio Arena da Floresta is a modern soccer stadium that hosts local matches as well as events.
    6. Praça Plácido de Castro serves as the central square in the city center where cultural events and concerts often take place.
    7. Sesc Bosque operates as a community center with swimming pools, sports courts, and fitness classes available for members to utilize.
    8. Rio Branco Municipal Park Zoo houses various species of animals from the Amazon region for visitors to observe.
    9. Rio Branco Skatepark provides skateboarding enthusiasts with an excellent facility to practice their skills or watch others do so.
    10. Centro Cultural Thaumaturgo Filho functions as a cultural center offering art exhibitions, theater performances among other activities for people to participate in or view.

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