In the colonial period the region was called Portuguese Guiana and was part of Portugal's State of Brazil.

Amapá was once part of Pará, but became a separate territory in 1943, and the decision to make it a state was made in 1988.

[5] In the early colonial period the Amapá region was a rich source of lumber, resins, annatto, vegetable oils, and salted fish, all of which were exported to Europe.

With the discovery of mineral deposits the Amapá region was invaded by the British and Dutch, who were ultimately repelled by the Portuguese.

The discovery of rich manganese deposits in Serra do Navio in 1945 revolutionized the local economy.

[5] Amapá's move to statehood was made on 5 October 1988, at the time of the promulgation of the new Brazilian Constitution, with the first state legislators taking office at the start of 1991.

On the Amapá coast, almost intact beaches mix with swamps, creating the largest representation of this biome in Brazil.

This mixture of salt and fresh water is perfect for the food chain reproduction of several animal species.

Mercury, which is used in the extraction of gold, is widely found in water sources and sewage systems in the population centers of Amapá.

[6] The Amapá Biodiversity Corridor has been established in 2003 to provide integrated management for the conservation area.

[8] The Cabo Orange National Park contains flooded grasslands and mangrove forests which are important fish nurseries.

Tropical rainforest is the natural vegetation, and also provides the other climate type located in the state.

[5] According to data obtained by the IBGE in the 2010 Brazilian Census, 64% of Amapá residents are Roman Catholics, 28% are evangelicals (Protestants) and 6% do not profess any religion.

The Amerindians tribes in Amapá are located in the north near the Oiapoque River, and in the east in the Wayampi Indigenous Territory.

[25] The highway is connected to the road network of French Guiana via the Oyapock River Bridge.

[27] It is supposed to be extended all the way to the border with Colombia in Amazonas; however, as of 2021, it ends in the Wayampi Indigenous Territory.

The symbol on the hoist-side represents the Fortress of São José, out of which the state capital grew.