Alguns aspectos geográficos da cidade do Rio Branco e do núcleo colonial Seringal Empresa (Território do Acre)

Resumo

            The author divides this paper in two distincts parts: in the first, he deals with the city of Rio Branco, capital of the Territory of Acre, and makes its geographical analysis as well as furnishes some geographical data considered interesting; in the second part, the author makes a description of the colonization which is taking place at the "Municipio" (County) of Rio Branco emphasizing specially the colonial nucleus "Seringal Empresa".

            Further on, he studies the site in which the city of Rio Branco is located, emphasizing the fact that this location was selected strictly by chance, as most Brazilian cities were.

            Rio Branco was born due to the spontaneous development which took place after the "Seringal Empresa" was founded in 1882. The city occupies a zone of terraces along the enchased meanders of the Rio Acre (River) and the topography, in this region, is undulated.

            The author begins, then, to analyze the origin of the city, dividing its evolution in various phases.

            In ending the first part of his paper, the author studies the economical aspects of the city, and states that its economy is based in the collecting of native forest products - chiefly rubber and Brasil nuts - as well as wild animal hides and skins.

           The functional life of the city is studied also and the author tries to divide its suburbs according to their various functions, thus: suburb of Penapolis - political and administrative center; suburb of Empresa - commercial center (retail and wholesale); suburbs of Quinze

and Papoclo - residential.

            Talking of the problem of supplies, the author emphasizes the problem of high prices  due to the necessity of importing some indispensable products from the south of the country. He includes a graphic which shows the prices of foodstuffs in 1950 and gives a clear idea of the high prices found.

            A study of the commerce follows, and the author states that it is in direct relation to the prices rubber and Brasil nuts attain in the foreign market. In the second part of his paper, the author studies the colonial nuclei of Rio Branco.

            He emphasizes the role of the colonization which is taking place at the "Municipio" of Rio Branco since 1942, and relates this fact to the economy of the region, practically based in

collecting native forest products.

            He divides the colonization in two phases; the first, considered as "phase of peopling" and the second, regarded as "planned colonization", beginning in 1942.

            The author, then, studies the organization of the colonies, the technical, economic and social assistance which is provided by the Government to the colonies, and the agricultural systems utilized by the natives.

            A detailed study of the colonial nucleus of the Seringal Empresa is made, then, as the author finishes his paper.