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...