Benjamin Constant is a town and municipality located in the Brazilian state of Amazonas. Its population was 26,191 (2005) and its area is 8,793 km² (5,495 mi²).

The town is located by the confluence of the Javary River and the Amazon

Amazon River

The Amazon of South America is the second longest river in the world and by far the largest by waterflow with an average discharge greater than the next seven largest rivers combined...

, close to the border with Peru

Peru

Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....

. However, there are no customs or immigration facilities in Benjamin Constant, and entry and exit formalities take place at Tabatinga

Tabatinga

Tabatinga is a municipality in the Três Fronteiras area of Northwestern Brazil. It is located in the Brazilian state of Amazonas. Its population was 45,293...

 on the opposite bank of the Amazon. There are no roads into Benjamin Constant and the only access is by river boat. By fast boat it is about 31 hours from Manaus

Manaus

Manaus is a city in Brazil, the capital of the state of Amazonas. It is situated at the confluence of the Negro and Solimões rivers. It is the most populous city of Amazonas, according to the statistics of Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, and is a popular ecotourist destination....

 (about 7 days by slow boat). The nearest airport is at Tabatinga, 2 hours by boat.

The area is inhabited by Ticuna Indians. The Magüta Museum in the town is devoted to their culture and language. In 1988 the town was the scene of the murder of 14 Ticunas in a dispute between them and logging interests.

The town was named after the Brazilian revolutionary Benjamin Constant

Benjamin Constant (Brazil)

Benjamin Constant Botelho de Magalhães was a Brazilian military man and political thinker.He was born at Niterói....

(1836–1891).