Nauta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nauta
Santiago de Nauta
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City
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Around Nauta city there are different private lodges dedicated to ecotourism.
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| Country |  Peru |
| Region | Loreto |
| Province | Loreto |
| District | Nauta |
| Founded | 1830 |
| Elevation | 111 m (364 ft) |
| Population
(2022)
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| • Total | 34,762 population |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (PET) |
| Climate | Af |
| Website | www.muninauta.gob.pe |
<mapframe width=298 height=500 zoom=18 latitude=-4.50610 longitude=-73.57570 text= "Interactive Map> {"type": "ExternalData","service": "page","title": "Loreto-Perú lugares de interes.map"} </mapframe> Nauta is a town located in the northeastern part of the Loreto area in Peru. It sits within the amazing Amazon. Nauta is about 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Iquitos, which is the main city of the province.
The town is on the north bank of the Marañón River. This river is a big branch of the Upper Amazon and is close to where the Marañón and Ucayali rivers meet.
Nauta was started by Manuel Pacaya–Samiria, a leader of the Kokama people. This happened after an uprising in 1830 at a Jesuit mission called Lagunas. Soon, Nauta became a very important trading center in the Peruvian lowlands of the Amazon. In 1853, a large boat called a paddle steamer from Brazil even made it all the way to Nauta!
Today, Nauta is the main place you reach by the only big road coming out of Iquitos. It's also a starting point for many ecotourism trips. You can find lodges and boats on the Marañón River that take visitors to explore nature. Many boats also leave from Nauta to go to the famous Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.
Contents
Exploring Nauta's Past
How Nauta Got Its Name
Towards the end of the 1820s, a leader named Manuel Pacaya led a group of Cocama natives. They lived in a town called La Laguna (now Lagunas). They were unhappy with how they were treated by the authorities. So, Manuel Pacaya and his group built a raft and left their town. They traveled down the Ucayali River.
After many days, they stopped and set up camp near where the Marañón and Ucayali rivers join. While clearing the area, they found a very large jar. In their native language, they called this jar "MAUTA." This is how the place first got its name. They liked the spot and decided to stay there.
They asked Mr. Damián Najar, a local government official, for permission to start a town. During this process, the name "MAUTA" was changed to "NAUTA." This new name means "sailor" or "navigator."
Official Founding of Nauta
The official founding of Nauta began on April 30, 1830. On that day, a new official named Don Carlos del Castillo appointed Juan Gosendi as the first temporary Governor of Nauta. He was told to make sure the town was set up in the best way. This included planning its streets, squares, and roads. He also had to make sure the houses were strong and well-built. This document was like the first city plan for Nauta.
Even though Nauta was started by native people, it followed the style of Spanish towns from the beginning. This was because the government still had strong control over the area. In 1832, they started building the Main Church. This building is now called the Ukamara Theater. It became the first important historical and religious building in this part of the Amazon. This showed how important the new town was becoming.
Nauta started with just a few native families. It was one of the first settlements in the Loreto region. It quickly grew in population and in its economy. This was because it was connected by river to other towns. These connections were along the Marañón River, the Amazon River, and even to villages in Brazil. This led to more boats, like rafts, canoes, and even ships, coming to Nauta.
Discovering Nauta's Attractions
Nauta is home to many special natural places.
- Sapi Sapi Lagoon: This lagoon is a great example. You can find many unique animals here. These include the Yellow-spotted river turtle, the huge pirarucu fish, crocodiles, and the Arrau turtle. If you want to see these animals up close, you can take a boat ride around the lagoon. There's also a local legend about a mysterious mermaid who used to attract people with her beauty.
- Playa del Amor: This "Beach of Love" is just outside Nauta. It is surrounded by thick jungle, making it a peaceful spot.
- Quebrada Gasparito: This is another natural area. You can reach it by canoe. It is known as a very relaxing place to visit.
Town Center Highlights
In the middle of Nauta, you'll find the Plaza de Armas. This main square is special because of its many statues. These statues were made by local people and show the native culture of the area. The Iglesia de Nauta (Nauta Church) is also in the plaza. It is now used as a local theater. You can also see a school and a bronze statue, both named after Manuel Pacaya, the town's founder. Just a few streets from the plaza is the local marketplace. Here, people from all over come to buy and sell goods.
Gateway to Nature's Wonders
Nauta is also the main way to enter the incredible Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. To go into the reserve, you need to buy a permit. You can get this from the National Institute of Natural Resources (INRENA). Visitors can enter the reserve by river through a community called 20 de febrero. The Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. This means it has a huge variety of plants and animals!
Nauta's Culture
In 2013, young people in Nauta created a rap video. They sang in the Kukama-Kukamiria dialect. This project was done with Radio Ucamara, a local radio station. The radio station has been working for years to help save the Kukama language. They even started a school called Ikuar. Its goal is to teach the language through songs and traditional stories.
See also
In Spanish: Nauta para niños
