The capital of the state of Amazonas, it is located at the confluence of the Negro and Solimoes rivers. The city is located in the middle of the rain forest and is accessed primarily by boat and air plane. The city was founded in the 17th century but saw its great expansion during the rubber boom in the 19th century. The abundance of sudden wealth saw the city build the Teatro Amazonas which cost $10 million and many villas and palaces. The city had electricity before most European cities. After the rubber bust, the city lost its electricity and the famous theatre was abandoned. It is grandiously restored now.