On the southern side of Iquitos is the “suburb” of Belen. This is the poorest part of Iquitos and is built on two levels. The lower level is along the bank of the Itaya River and floods when the river rises annually. Therefore, the houses are either built on stilts or on a base of balsa logs so they will float when the river comes up. During this time Belen is known as the “Venice of the Amazon” and people get around in canoes and small boats. The other part of Belen is on higher ground that does not flood and this is where most of the people live in thatch-roofed shacks on dirt streets too narrow for a car to pass.
This part of Belen is also home to a number of shops selling all kinds of cheap household goods and clothes as the well as the fascinating Belen Market where one can kind all kinds of tropical fruits and fresh fish and meat (early in the morning). There is also a narrow street that sells medicinal plants, roots and various concoctions that supposedly cure any number of ailments. This is a popular place to visit by tourists.
As people continue to move into Iquitos from villages in the surrounding forest, for perceived economic and social advantages, many find their first homes in the Belen district. In a way, people residing in Belen are still living their lives in a manner similar to when they lived in remote villages.
A photo blog of Belen:
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