Alcântara

Alcântara, seaport, northern Maranhão estado (state), northern Brazil. It is located on the western shore of São Marcos Bay about 12 miles (19 km) northwest of the state capital, São Luís, which lies across the bay on São Luís Island. Alcântara is one of Maranhão’s oldest towns; it flourished during the 17th century as a cotton-trading centre, but, after slavery was abolished in Brazil in 1888, the town was nearly abandoned. Alcântara’s colonial centre and surviving Baroque churches are now tourist attractions. Cotton and rice grown in the region are shipped from Alcântara’s shallow harbour. Fishing is also important. A rocket base, the Alcântara Launch Center, was built just outside Alcântara in the 1980s; as a result, several indigenous communities were displaced. The launch centre is operated by the Brazilian Space Agency, and international rockets have been launched from there as well. Pop. (2010) 21,852.