History
Population
Geography
Climate
Gastronomy
Economy
Language

 

HISTORY

In 1901, the Peruvian Government created a committee to explore the nation's rainforest. Don Juan Villalta led an expedition along the Tambopata River, departing from Sandia. Juan Villata founded Puerto Maldonado on July 10th, 1902 as a station where the Tambopata River joins the Madre de Dios River. The city was formally recognized as Puerto Maldonado in 1985.

 

POPULATION

Puerto Maldonado has 92,024 inhabitants. Although there are many tribes in the region, who have had contact with modern civilization. The main groups established in the region are Huarayos, Mashcos, Piro, Amahuaca, Yamanahuas, Amaracaes and Machiguengas.

 

GEOGRAPHY

Madre de Dios is a department with abundant virgin forests and captivating landscapes. It is possibly the least eroded area of the Peruvian Amazon. In addition, the combination of abrupt geography, its many microclimates and the variety of soils have led to the development of a diversity of life forms. Land of wide, slow rivers and beautiful oxbow lakes surrounded by lush vegetation, Madre de Dios has the best soil of the Amazon. The Brazilian nut and rubber production are the main sources of income.

 

CLIMATE

The climate is hot and humid at all times. The average annual temperature is 26°C (79°F) .August and September are the hottest months. Annual rainfall exceeds 1,000 millimeters (3.3 ft). The wet season is from October to April. The main part of the town is located on a slightly elevated area that does not normally flood during wet season. A common phenomenon known locally as a "Surazo" or "Friaje" occurs when polar winds blow in from the mountainous south. The temperature will drop to as low as 8°C (46°F) for several days.

 

GASTRONOMY

In Puerto Maldonado the cuisine is simple yet extravagant, very colorful and rich, unexpected flavors are tasty and exotic. This cuisine is original and varied, many of the ingredients are only found in this area, especially meat from the mountains, the fresh or dried Paiche (jungle fish), Taricayas, heart of palm, condiments. Main dishes in Puerto Maldonado are: “The Juane” and “The Tacacho”. The Juane, is one of the main dishes in the Peruvian jungle. Tacacho, a kind of jerky, is often served with sausage and is typical in Puerto Maldonado as well as the Peruvian Amazon.

 

ECONOMY

The chief industries in Puerto Maldonado are logging, gold dredging, Brazil nut harvesting, boat building and eco-tourism. The area is virtually logged out; only one mill remains. Rubber collection is long gone. Recent legislation in the European Union has put hundreds of Brazil nut collectors out of work in addition to the associated local factory. Huge amounts of gold are collected from the river illegally, mostly by small teams of men with hand tools and big machinery. Tourism and related boat construction are currently the major sources of income. There are several tourist eco-lodges around Puerto Maldonado and in the reserves.

 

LANGUAGE

The official language is Spanish, although many jungle tribes speak their native tongue such as the Huarayos, Mashcos, Piro, Amahuaca, Yamanahuas, Amaracaes and Machiguengas.