Altamira

Altamira is a toponym used in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking regions. The most famous reference is Altamira Cave (Cueva de Altamira), a Paleolithic cave near Santillana del Mar in Cantabria, northern Spain. Discovered in 1868 by Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola, the site contains some of the best-preserved Upper Paleolithic paintings in Europe, dating to roughly 20,000 to 14,000 years ago. The paintings, which include bison, horses, and deer, were created with charcoal and ochre and are remarkable for their naturalistic style. Altamira was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

Access to the original cave has been restricted to protect the artwork; a nearby replica, Neocueva, provides public viewing opportunities without damaging the cave.

Altamira, Pará, Brazil is a municipality in northern Brazil, in the state of Pará, situated on the Xingu River in the Amazon region. The town has developed rapidly in recent decades, closely linked to regional infrastructure projects such as the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam. Its economy includes cattle ranching, agriculture, forestry, and mining, with ongoing efforts to expand services and urban development.