Pacaraima

Pacaraima is a municipality in the state of Roraima, Brazil, located in the country’s far north along the border with Venezuela. It is part of the Northern Region and serves as the administrative seat of the municipality of Pacaraima. The town lies near the Serra de Pacaraima, a mountain range that helps define the border with Venezuela, and sits on the BR-174 highway.

The city forms a border gateway with Santa Elena de Uairén, Venezuela, connected by an international crossing near the settlement. The crossing is a focal point for cross-border trade, travel, and, at times, humanitarian movement.

The local economy is driven by cross-border commerce, retail and services, and some agricultural activity in the surrounding rural areas. Market activity often depends on goods flowing between Brazil and Venezuela, and the area has a notable informal sector tied to border dynamics. In recent years, Pacaraima has hosted facilities and services for Venezuelan migrants and refugees as part of regional humanitarian responses.

Pacaraima is characterized by its role as a border town and its culturally diverse population, influenced by migrants and traders from across the border. The municipality is relatively small in population and relies on its position as a gateway for trade and mobility in the region.