União dos Palmares

The city of União dos Palmares has a historic importance to African-Brazilians. On a nearby hill was a mocambo or, in more recent terms, a quilombo. These were centers of African slaves fleeing and resisting slavery. Known as the Quilombo dos Palmares this was the largest and most organized[6] of the many quilombos in Brazil. The most famous figure of the Quilombo dos Palmares was Zumbi dos Palmares. The quilombo reached a population somewhere around 30,000 composed of former slaves and some Amerindian allies. Between 1672 and 1696 it withstood repeated attacks by colonial forces until it fell to regular forces with artillery.[6]

The city is the gateway to the Parque Memorial Quilombo dos Palmares[7] in the Parque Nacional Serra da Barriga[8] and described as "A Terra da Liberdade" (A land of liberty).[9] Memorial celebrations attract visitors and the park is a natural area preserving endangered Atlantic semi-deciduous forests of the Mata Atlântica. The park attracts visitors both domestic and foreign to tourist accommodations around the city.[10] The park and city were given publicity by a 20 November 2003 ceremonial opening by the President of Brazil.[11]

• Wikimapia: União dos Palmares
• Parque Memorial Quilombo dos Palmares
• Portal: União Notícia