Benjamin Constant is a municipality located in the Brazilian state of Amazonas. Its population was 43,935 (2020) and its area is 8,793 km2 (5,495 mi2).

History

The area is inhabited by Ticuna Indians. The Magüta Museum in the town is devoted to their culture and language. In 1988 the town was the scene of the murder of 14 Ticunas in a dispute between them and logging interests.

The town was named after the Brazilian revolutionary Benjamin Constant (1836–1891).

Geography

The town is located by the confluence of the Javary River and the Amazon, close to the border with Peru. However, there are no customs or immigration facilities in Benjamin Constant, and entry and exit formalities take place at Tabatinga on the opposite bank of the Amazon. There are no roads into Benjamin Constant and the only access is by river boat. By fast boat it is about 31 hours from Manaus (about 7 days by slow boat). The nearest airport is at Tabatinga, 2 hours by boat.

Climate

Climate data for Benjamin Constant, Amazonas (1981–2010, extremes 1932–present)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)37.2 (99.0)37.0 (98.6)37.2 (99.0)36.2 (97.2)35.9 (96.6)36.2 (97.2)37.0 (98.6)39.0 (102.2)39.5 (103.1)40.0 (104.0)37.3 (99.1)36.7 (98.1)40.0 (104.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)31.3 (88.3)31.2 (88.2)31.6 (88.9)31.6 (88.9)31.1 (88.0)30.9 (87.6)31.3 (88.3)32.3 (90.1)32.5 (90.5)32.8 (91.0)32.1 (89.8)31.3 (88.3)31.7 (89.1)
Daily mean °C (°F)26.0 (78.8)26.0 (78.8)26.1 (79.0)26.1 (79.0)25.9 (78.6)25.5 (77.9)25.6 (78.1)25.9 (78.6)26.2 (79.2)26.5 (79.7)26.3 (79.3)25.9 (78.6)26.0 (78.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)21.8 (71.2)21.8 (71.2)21.9 (71.4)22.0 (71.6)21.7 (71.1)21.2 (70.2)20.8 (69.4)21.1 (70.0)21.5 (70.7)21.9 (71.4)22.0 (71.6)22.0 (71.6)21.6 (70.9)
Record low °C (°F)16.8 (62.2)16.0 (60.8)14.9 (58.8)15.0 (59.0)14.9 (58.8)11.2 (52.2)9.9 (49.8)13.2 (55.8)14.1 (57.4)17.9 (64.2)14.4 (57.9)16.0 (60.8)9.9 (49.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches)331.9 (13.07)283.6 (11.17)299.3 (11.78)261.6 (10.30)208.3 (8.20)145.6 (5.73)107.8 (4.24)105.9 (4.17)136.0 (5.35)210.8 (8.30)247.1 (9.73)252.9 (9.96)2,590.8 (102.00)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)18161615141110910131517164
Average relative humidity (%)86.786.786.787.287.586.985.384.283.584.285.586.385.9
Mean monthly sunshine hours99.492.7103.5115.6114.6111.0141.4152.6149.2137.5123.0107.51,448
Source 1: Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia
Source 2: Meteo Climat (record highs and lows)

Gallery

  • A passenger boat (Ze Alberto 2013) docked at the town
  • View of the town from the F/B Vitória Régia boat on the Javary River
  • View of the town from the river
  • View of the town from the river
  • View of Benjamin Constant port from the river
  • View of Benjamin Constant port from the river