Porto Grande (Portuguese: Grand Harbor, [ˈpoʁtuˈgɾɐ̃dʒi]) is a municipality located in the southeast of the state of Amapá in Brazil. Its population is 22,452[1] and its area is 4,425 km2.[2]
Overview
Porto Grande became an independent municipality in 1993.[3]
The area around Porto Grande was first explored by gold miners, however nowadays it has become one of the biggest food producers in Amapá. It is a poor region where many homes do not have sewage system, and a quarter of the population does not have access to clean drinking water, however Porto Grande has one of the lowest illiteracy rates of Brazil.[4]
The Annual Pineapple Festival in September is a popular tourist attraction. Other attractions are the spa near the Araguari River.[5] As of 2021, a regional hospital was being constructed in Porto Grande.[6]
The municipality contains 7.72% of the 2,369,400 hectares (5,855,000 acres) Amapá State Forest, a sustainable use conservation unit established in 2006.[7]
Economy
Porto Grande is a major fruit producer in particular pineapples and oranges. Other economic activities are livestock like cattle, buffalo and pig, palm oil and pine plantations.[5]
