Iquitos Peru is the largest city in the world not connected to
other cities by roads. It lies in eastern Peru deep in the heart of the
Amazonian rainforest - next to the great Amazon river - a long days trip by
river to Brazil on one of the fast boats. The only way to get to Iquitos is
by plane (which is the fastest and most direct), or by a boat up from Brazil
along the Amazon river, or by bus and then boat if you are coming from
western Peru. The Amazon river supplying nearly one quarter of the entire
world's freshwater is an amazing site and it dominates the Iquitos area with
its main channel as well as many of its tributaries. Its a huge swatch of
brown water and tributaries flowing towards the Atlantic ocean.
Iquitos was founded in the late 1700's by a Jesuit Missionary. Much later it
underwent an economic boom fueled by the rubber industry. Then a little
later oil and gas discoveries sparked another economic recovery - now
tourism in part helps sustain the local economy. However, Iquitos due to its
rather isolated nature is less frequented by tourists then other South
America and Peru destinations.
There are several attractions to see in the actual city of Iquitos - but the
main attraction here is the jungle and the Amazon River. Read on for more
information about visiting Iquitos, Peru.
