History of Coari

The history of the city of Coari is inextricably linked to the exploration of the Amazon basin and the interaction between European settlers and indigenous peoples. The city's name is derived from the indigenous tribe of the same name, who originally inhabited the riverbanks prior to the arrival of colonizers.

Foundation and First Mentions

The first information about the area appeared in the records of Jesuit missionaries in the early 18th century. On maps from that time, compiled by Father Samuel Fritz, the Coari River was already featured. The official date of the settlement's founding is considered to be the mid-18th century, when in 1759 it received the status of a "place" (Lugar de Coari) as part of the Portuguese colonial expansion. Later, in 1874, the settlement gained the status of a villa, and in 1932, it became a city.

Key Factors of Development

The development of Coari was predetermined by its strategic location in the heart of the state of Amazonas in Brazil. The main factors for growth included:

• Geography: The city stands on the banks of Lake Coari, which connects to the Solimões River (the upper course of the Amazon). This made it a convenient harbor and transit point for river vessels.
• Transport Accessibility: Waterways served as the main roads in the jungle, connecting remote areas with Manaus and the ocean.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the early period, the settlement's economy was based on the extraction of natural resources. Residents gathered "gifts of the forest" (spices, cocoa, valuable woods). A unique feature of local trade in the 18th and 19th centuries was the production of oil from turtle eggs, which was used for lighting and culinary purposes; Coari was considered one of the centers of this trade. Later, at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the city experienced an economic boom thanks to the "rubber fever," which significantly changed its architectural and cultural appearance.

Major Historical Milestones

• Pre-colonial Period: The territory of the modern municipality was inhabited by the Jurimauas, Catuquinas, and other indigenous peoples who gave the name to the river and the settlement.
• Early 18th Century: German Jesuit Samuel Fritz first maps the Coari River during his missionary expeditions along the Amazon.
• 1759: The settlement receives official status and the Portuguese name Freguesia de Alvelos during colonial reforms.
• 1854: The administrative center is moved to a new location at the confluence of the lake and the Solimões River, where modern Coari is located.
• 1874: The settlement receives the status of a villa (small town) and becomes the center of an independent municipality, separating from Tefé.
• 1932: The villa is officially elevated to the rank of a city, confirming its growing administrative and commercial importance.
• 1940s: A period of economic prosperity due to the harvesting of Brazil nuts, when the city became one of the main exporters of this resource in Brazil.
• 1967: Launch of the first radio communication system, allowing for stable contact with Manaus and other regions.
• 1986: A key event in modern history — the discovery of a major oil and gas field in the Urucu province by Petrobras.
• 1988: The beginning of industrial exploitation of the fields, turning the municipality into the main energy center of the state.
• 1998: Completion of pipeline construction from the Urucu field to the Solimões terminal for oil and gas transportation.
• 2009: The ceremonial launch of the main gas pipeline connecting the municipality's fields with the state capital, Manaus.

Stages of Transformation and Their Significance

The development of the city of Coari passed through several distinct phases, each of which radically changed the lifestyle of the population and the economic landscape. Below are the key moments that defined the modern appearance of this Amazonian municipality.

• Administrative Separation (1874)
  Obtaining the status of a villa and separating from Tefé was the first step towards self-governance. This allowed local authorities to manage taxes independently and begin urban planning, laying the foundation for the future municipality.
• The "Rubber Boom" (Late 19th — Early 20th Century)
  A period of rapid economic growth associated with latex extraction. The influx of "rubber money" contributed to the appearance of the first permanent structures, the development of river trade, and the introduction of European cultural traditions to the local elite.
• The Brazil Nut Cycle (1930s–1950s)
  After the collapse of the rubber market, the economy reoriented towards the export of food resources. Coari became a leader in Brazil nut harvesting, which allowed the city to avoid deep depression and maintain its status as an important trading port on the Amazon.
• Discovery of the Urucu Province (1986)
  The discovery of huge oil and gas reserves by Petrobras was the main turning point in modern history. This event turned an agrarian town into the industrial capital of the region, ensuring an unprecedented influx of investments and technology.
• Construction of the Solimões Terminal (TESOL)
  The creation of a powerful logistics hub for hydrocarbon transport made the city a strategically important object for all of Brazil. The terminal provided thousands of jobs and stimulated the development of the service sector to support specialists.
• Launch of the Coari — Manaus Gas Pipeline (2009)
  This mega-project integrated the city into the state's energy system. Construction was accompanied by massive investments in infrastructure, including the modernization of roads and communication systems, which significantly improved the quality of life for citizens.
• Emergence as an Educational Center (2000s)
  The opening of campuses for the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM) and the State University (UEA) transformed the social environment. The city began training its own qualified personnel for the oil and gas industry, reducing dependence on visiting specialists.

Urban Development and Architectural Styles

The architectural appearance of the city of Coari represents an eclectic combination of traditional Amazonian structures and modern infrastructure that emerged due to rapid industrial growth. Unlike the old colonial centers of Brazil, it is difficult to find monumental Baroque ensembles here; however, the urban fabric clearly demonstrates the evolution from a modest river port to an important energy hub.

Influence of Historical Eras on Architecture

The city's development formed in waves, following the region's economic cycles. Several key stages can be identified that defined the look of the streets:

• Early Period and Vernacular Architecture: Initially, the city developed along the riverbank. The main type of housing was and remains "palafitas" — wooden houses on stilts, characteristic of the entire Amazon basin. This style is dictated by the need to adapt to seasonal river floods and high humidity.
• Trade Era (Eclecticism and Neoclassicism): During periods of prosperity from rubber and Brazil nut trade (late 19th — first half of 20th century), the first permanent stone buildings appeared in the center. They are characterized by restrained elements of classicism: symmetrical facades, tall windows, and the use of decorative tiles (azulejos) imported from Europe.
• Industrial Era (Modernism and Functionalism): With the start of the oil and gas boom in the 1980s, the city began to be actively built up with concrete. Administrative buildings, schools, and hospitals of this period are executed in a utilitarian style, where priority is given to practicality and speed of construction rather than decorative excesses.

Landmark Buildings and Public Spaces

The modern landscape of Coari is formed by several objects that serve as centers of attraction and visual landmarks:

• Cathedral of Sant'Ana and São Sebastião: The main religious symbol of the city. The building stands out for its architecture, combining modern geometric forms with traditional sacred planning. The cathedral is the center for major city celebrations.
• The Waterfront (Orla de Coari): A prime example of modern urbanism. This is a landscaped promenade area, reinforced with concrete, featuring seating areas, kiosks, and sports grounds. The waterfront symbolizes the city turning to face the river, transforming the shoreline from a utility zone into a space for leisure.
• Solimões Oil Terminal: Although this is strictly an industrial facility, its large-scale structures and tanks have become an integral part of the city skyline, reminding of its status as the "gas capital" of the region.

Historical and Political Figures

• Samuel Fritz — A Jesuit missionary and cartographer of German origin who lived at the turn of the 17th–18th centuries. He is considered the historical founder of the mission that subsequently grew into the city. He was the first to map the Coari River and surrounding settlements on detailed maps of the Amazon.
• Silvério José Nery — One of the most significant political figures of the region, a native of Coari. He served as Governor of the State of Amazonas (1900–1904) and as a Senator. During the "rubber boom," he implemented important administrative reforms that contributed to the modernization of the state.
• Alexandre Montoril — Mayor (Prefect) of the city in the mid-20th century. Remembered as an energetic administrator who significantly improved urban infrastructure; under his leadership, important public and sports facilities were built that served citizens for decades.
• Silvério Nery Senior — A military officer and administrator of the 19th century, father of Governor Silvério José Nery. He commanded the police guard and played an important role in maintaining order during the early stages of the municipality's development.

Culture, Religion, and Society

• Dom Mário Roberto Emmett Anglim — The first Bishop-Prelate of Coari. An American Redemptorist missionary who arrived in Brazil for spiritual service. His work laid the foundations of the city's modern religious and social structure; he is buried in the local cathedral.
• Francisco Vasconcelos — A renowned poet and writer. Recognized as the literary "voice" of the city; in his works, he praised the beauty of Amazonian nature and the lifestyle of local residents, gaining recognition far beyond the municipality.
• Archipo Góes — A contemporary historian, writer, and researcher. Author of fundamental works on the history of the region's settlement and the origin of the city's name. His works are a key source for preserving the historical memory of the local population.
• Erasmo Linhares — A man of letters whose work is considered a classic of local culture. Together with Vasconcelos, he belongs to the galaxy of authors who shaped the literary identity of the city in the 20th century.