Manaus is a city in north-west Brazil and capital of Amazonas State. Located on the Negro River near its confluence with the Amazon, it is the chief port and a hub for the region's extensive river system. Its population is estimated to be around 2,000,000.

Manaus is a cosmopolitan city, and, because of its location next to the Amazon rain forest, it attracts a substantial number of Brazilian and foreign tourists, who can find plenty of boat and land trips into the surrounding jungle. A great diversity of wildlife can be found even in the surroundings of Manaus. It is also home to one of the most endangered primates in Brazil, the Pied tamarin.

"The meeting of the waters," the confluence of the Negro and Solimões rivers which extends for about 9 km, is a very sought-after trip that lasts an average of 6 hours and gives visitors the opportunity to experience firsthand the final episode of formation of the Amazon river.
About 18 km from downtown is Ponta Negra beach, a neighbourhood that has a beachfront and popular nightlife area. A luxurious hotel is located at the west end of Ponta Negra; its small but very interesting zoo and orchid greenhouse as well as preserved woods and beach are open to public visitation.

The city has a busy cultural calendar throughout the year, including the Opera, Theater, Jazz and Cinema festivals, as well as Boi Manaus (usually held around Manaus' anniversary on the 24th of October), which is a great celebration of Northern Brazilian culture through Boi-Bumbá music.
It is warm all year round, with a wet season in the summer months. Temperatures are generally around 30° – 36°C (86° – 97°F).

Manaus is one of the most isolated metropolitan areas of the world, accessible by ground transportation only by two highways. Primary access is by air or by river. The city is served by the Eduardo Gomes International Airport.