The Pacific Highway in South American Integration and the State of Acre
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36403/espacoaberto.2013.2122Keywords:
Pacific Highway, South American integration, border region, Acre, AmazonAbstract
In July of 2011 the Pacific Highway was completed. The new road was part
of the South American Integration Initiative (IIRSA) and connects Acre to the ports of southern Peru. In addition to promoting the economic and social integration of South America, the Initiative was also meant to enhance commerce between Brazil and Asia by way of the Peruvian ports. A number of doubts are expressed in the region as to whether the highway will actually stimulate the regional economy or like other highways of the Amazon will provoke deforestation, social conflict and rural exodus. This article contextualizes Acre in the tripartite region of the Brazil-Peru-Bolivia border which will be directly affected by the new highway. The study is a reflection on the possible social, economic and environmental impacts of the new scenario in Acre. The research was based on field work involving government authorities and regional and local leaders in the border region of the three countries.
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