additionally, these traditional development models expand their economic frontiers
through tremendous environmental costs (Machado & Fernandes, 2000). For instance, the
states of Maranha˜o, Mato Grosso, Para´ and Rondoˆnia, in which an extensive road
network is operational for the logistics of their low-added value/high weight-volume
commodities, have developed their economies through the exploration of minerals,
agriculture and cattle ranching. In 2004, these states accounted for 86.17% of the total area
deforested in the Amazon (Table 1).
This rainforest exploitation development model was not fully implemented in
Amazonas—only 30 agrarian projects covering 1.3 million hectares. Instead, an innovative
model took place: a high-tech industrial development model gravitating over its capital,