Roraima is one of the states of
Brazil, located in the northern part of the country. Neighboring
states are (from east clockwise) Pará and Amazonas. To the north
it borders Venezuela and Guyana.
Geography
The climate is tropical with an annual mean temperature of 26°C.
Most of the state is located in the Amazon rainforest, with a
small strip of savanna to the east. The state is rich in mineral
deposits - especially gold, diamonds, cassiterite, bauxite and
copper. These create constant conflicts with the native
population, of which the Yanomami are the most well-known.
The Monte Roraima National Park is located
around one of the highest mountains of Brazil, the 2727 m high Tepui Monte
Roraima.
History
In 1943 the Federal Government declared the area sectioned off from the
state Amazonas. The territory was first named Rio Brance after the main
river, in 1962 it was renamed to Roraima. In 1988 it became a state.
