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<strong>Manaus, Brazil:</strong> This city of 1.8 million people is surrounded by 2 million square miles of Amazon jungle and is more than 1,500 miles from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

Manaus, Brazil: This city of 1.8 million people is surrounded by 2 million square miles of Amazon jungle and is more than 1,500 miles from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

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<strong>The view from above: </strong>The easiest way to access Manaus, which only has one road going in or out, is by air.

The view from above: The easiest way to access Manaus, which only has one road going in or out, is by air.

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<strong>Praca Sao Sebastiao</strong>: St. Sebastian Square is one of the best places in the city for an alfresco dinner.

Praca Sao Sebastiao: St. Sebastian Square is one of the best places in the city for an alfresco dinner.

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<strong>Teatro Amazonas:</strong> This 19th-century building hosts performances from ballet to opera to the White Stripes.

Teatro Amazonas: This 19th-century building hosts performances from ballet to opera to the White Stripes.

Magdalena Paluchowska / Alamy

<strong>Teatro Amazonas:</strong> It took 15 years to complete and includes tiles, stained glass and other elements brought from Europe.

Teatro Amazonas: It took 15 years to complete and includes tiles, stained glass and other elements brought from Europe.

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<strong>Color everywhere:</strong> At the turn of the 20th century, Manaus was the center of a lucrative global trade in rubber, and many buildings date from that era.

Color everywhere: At the turn of the 20th century, Manaus was the center of a lucrative global trade in rubber, and many buildings date from that era.

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