THE ORGANIZATION OF PARÁ’S TERRITORY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE RUBBER ECONOMY EXPANSION

The Rubber Economy played a pivotal role in transforming the Amazon region, particularly in the state of Pará, as it replaced the declining "drogas do sertão" (hinterland drugs) as the primary economic attraction. The rubber boom, which commenced in the second half of the 19th century, brought about profound changes in the socio-spatial configuration of both the Amazon and Pará, resulting in territorial expansion, the establishment of new settlements, and a comprehensive reorganization of the territory. This article aims to investigate the underlying reasons behind this new spatial configuration, focusing on the impact of rubber exploration along rivers, which catalyzed new territorial dynamics in Pará. One significant outcome of this transformation was the process of municipalization, wherein numerous settlements transitioned from being mere villages to attaining the status of crucial economic centers, underscoring the paramount significance of rubber in shaping the urban landscape and fostering the overall development of the state.