gum, tucupi, among others. Ethnic groups The population of northern Brazil is largely made up of Caboclos, descendants of Native Brazilians and Europeans - mostly Portuguese, French and Spanish. North of Brazil has received and continues to receive large migration of people from South and Southeast regions of the country. In the 20th century, also received great migration from the Northeast, who were working in the rubber plantations of Amazonas and Acre. Economy The economy of the North Region is essentially based on the vegetal plantation and extraction, such as latex, açaí, woods and Brazil nuts; and mineral extraction of gold, precious stones, cassiterite and tin (metal); as well as mining exploitation, mainly iron, at Carajás Mountain Range (in the State of Pará) and manganese, at Navio Mountain Range (in the State of Amapá). Small-scale Buffalo creation and the Free Economic Zone of Manaus are also important to the local economy. Infrastructure Vehicles: 1,746,501 (March/2007); Telephones: 1,805,000 (April/2007); Cities: 449 (2007). Portuguese language is the official national language, and thus the primary language taught in schools. However, English and Spanish are also part of the official high school curriculum. Educational Institutions Federal University of Pará (UFPA) Federal University of Western Pará (UFOPA) Federal University of Southern and Southeastern Pará (UNIFESSPA) Pará State University (UEPA) Federal University of Acre (UFAC) Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM) Amazonas State University (UEA) University of Amazon (UNAMA) Federal University of Rondônia (UNIR) Federal University of Tocantins (UFT) Federal University of Amapá (UNIFAP) Federal University of Roraima (UFRR) Transportation There are only a few highways in the North region. The most important ones are the BR-364, the Interoceanic Highway, running through Acre into Peru, the BR-010 connecting Belém to Southern Brazil, and BR-174 connecting Manaus to Venezuela. Most of the transportation in the region is done by boat or airplane. There are two major airports in the region: Belém International Airport, serving Belém, and Eduardo Gomes International Airport, serving Manaus. The Rio Branco International Bus Station offers services to destinations in Peru and Bolivia, the Boa Vista International Bus Station to Venezuela and Guyana. See also Amazônia Legal Ecotourism References Regions of Brazil