Manaus, formerly Manáos, city in northwestern Brazil, capital of Amazonas State, a port on the Negro River (near its confluence with the Amazon River). Accessible by oceangoing vessels, Manaus is one of the chief ports for the developing Amazon River basin. Among the city's exports are rubber, Brazil nuts, timber, and other products of the surrounding rain forest. Industries include petroleum refining, tourism, and the manufacture of soaps, chemicals, and processed food. The University of Amazonas (1965), a large cathedral, and an ornate opera house are in the city. Manaus was founded by the Portuguese in 1669 and was a rubber boomtown from 1890 until 1920. Population (1996 estimate) 1,157,357.
