Roraima

Indigenous territory in the Amazon rainforest, Roraima

The climate of Roraima is tropical with an annual mean temperature of 26 °C (78.8 °F). The state's southern part is located in the Amazon rainforest, while the north has open grassland fields, and there is a small strip of savanna to the east. The state is rich in mineral deposits, especially gold, diamonds, cassiterite, bauxite, marble, and copper. Many of these deposits are located in indigenous reserves, and illegal mining has resulted in frequent conflicts with the native population, especially the Yanomami and the Macuxi and allied groups.

The Monte Roraima National Park is located around one of the highest mountains of both Venezuela (outside of the Andes) and Brazil, and the highest in Guyana, a 2,875 m (9,432 ft) high tepui known as Monte Roraima. Only a small fraction of the mountain is in Brazilian territory, however, and the highest point of the Brazilian part is at 2,734 metres (8,970 ft).[3]

Climate

Köppen climate types of Roraima

Except for the higher mountains where the climate is cooler but very wet, Roraima has an equatorial climate. This is a type of tropical climate in which there is no dry season: all months have mean precipitation values of at least 60 mm. It is usually found at latitudes within five degrees of the equator, which are dominated by the Intertropical Convergence Zone. The equatorial climate is denoted Af in the Köppen climate classification. Tropical rainforest is the natural vegetation in the equatorial regions.

Boa Vista, Roraima in 1924

Since the early 16th century, the region now considered the state of Roraima was disputed territory because of its rich mineral reserves. It was sought by the Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and English until the beginning of the 20th century. But in 1943, together with a section from the state of Amazonas, the Federal Government created the territory of Rio Branco, which became Roraima in 1962. In 1988, Roraima became a state by decision of the National Congress. The name of the state was taken from Mount Roraima, whose name comes from the Pemon words "roroi" ("cyan") and "ma" ("large"). One of the main archaeological sites is the Pedra Pintada, Roraima, with ancient rock art and engravings.

Orla Taumanan in Boa Vista, Roraima

According to the IBGE in 2007 there were 405,000 people residing in the state. The population density was 1.8 inhabitants/km².

Urbanization: 80.3% (2004); Population growth: 4.6% (1991–2000); Houses: 97,465 (2005).[4]

The latest PNAD (National Household Survey) data reveal the following numbers: 278,000 Brown (Multiracial) people (68.8%), 81,000 White people (20.0%), 29,000 Black people (7.4%), 15,000 Asian or Amerindian people (3.8%).[5]

Ethnic groups found in Roraima include: Amerindians, Portuguese, Africans, Spanish, Venezuelans, and Lebanese.

The Brazilian Indian Agency, (FUNAI) estimates the state's indigenous population at 30,715.[6] The largest indigenous groups are the Macuxi (16,500)[7] and the better-known Yanomami (11,700).[8] Much of the state's indigenous population lives in several large, legally recognized indigenous reserves and a number of smaller ones, totalling 46.13% of the land area of the state.[9]

The service sector is the largest component of the GDP at 87.5%, followed by the industrial sector at 8.7%. Agriculture represents 3.8% of GDP (2004). Roraima exports: wood 74%, leather 22.6% (2002).

Share of the Brazilian economy: 0.1% (2005).

• Vehicles: 187,209 (August, 2015)
• Mobile phones: 148,000 (April, 2007)
• Telephones: 67,000 (April, 2007)
• Cities: 15 (2015)[11]

Federal University of Roraima

Portuguese is the official national language and thus the primary language taught in schools. English and Spanish are part of the official high school curriculum.

The blue of the flag represents the pure air and the sky of Roraima, the white strip symbolizes peace, and the green to the right represents the forests and fields. The star - symbolizing the state in the national flag of Brazil - is yellow, which symbolizes the mineral resources of the state. The red line at the bottom stands for the equator, which cuts through the state. The flag was designed by the artist Mário Barreto and was adopted by Law No.133 of June 14, 1996.

• (in Portuguese) Official Website
• (in English) Brazilian Tourism Portal

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