Three facts about the Amazon River

Amazon River Facts.

Three facts about the Amazon River

The Amazon River is the largest river in the world by water volume, with an average discharge of approximately 209,000 cubic meters per second. It is also the second-longest river in the world, with a length of approximately 6,400 km (4,000 miles) from its source in the Andes Mountains to its mouth in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Amazon River basin is home to the largest rainforest in the world, the Amazon Rainforest, which covers an area of approximately 6.7 million square kilometers (2.7 million square miles) across nine countries in South America. The rainforest is considered one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, with an estimated 10% of the world's known species of plants and animals living there.

The Amazon River is a lifeline for millions of people who live along its banks. It provides water for drinking, fishing, and transportation, and is also an important source of hydroelectric power. The river is navigable for large vessels up to Iquitos, Peru, and smaller boats can travel further upstream to tributaries and remote villages. However, the river also poses challenges, as it can flood and cause extensive damage to homes, crops, and infrastructure.