The Amazon River is one of South America’s most fascinating places to visit because it sustains the largest rainforest on earth and gives life to an astounding variety of flora and fauna.
Despite centuries of extensive exploration, the Amazon is still a mysterious location that conceals many secrets.
Its vast network of tributaries and waterways spans multiple countries, weaving through some of the most biodiverse regions on the planet.
The river’s ecosystem supports countless species, many of which are still undiscovered or not fully understood by scientists.
Interesting Amazon River Facts:
The Amazon River was born in Peru
Believe it or not, scholars have debated the true source of the Amazon River for years.
The most widely accepted idea holds that the three rivers Mantaro (the furthest upstream source), Apurimac (the most distant unbroken source), and Maranon are where the Amazon River flow originates in the high Andean mountains of Peru (the main source by volume).
Iquitos, Peru’s Amazon adventure hub and one of the most enthralling locations for Amazon River excursions, is upstream of the Maranon River.
The Amazon River System Passes Through Nine Nations in South America
The Amazon River flows out of Brazil’s Atlantic coast after beginning its journey in the highlands of Peru, passing through Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela en route.
The Madidi National Park is one of the greatest protected reserves in the Amazon. Suriname, Guyana, and French Guiana are all located in the southernmost part of Bolivia, where its rivers also flood the Amazon basin.
A Slovenian Athlete Once Completed the Entire Amazon River in Just 66 Days
Martin Strel conquered the huge Amazon River in 2007 and won his fourth Guinness World Record for long-distance swimming, defying risks in the basin’s most isolated areas.
Strel, a seasoned athlete who had previously completed swims down the Danube, Mississippi, Parana, and Yangtze rivers, covered a total distance of 5,268 kilometers (of the Amazon’s 6,400 kilometers), which is longer than the Atlantic Ocean’s width.
20% of Global Freshwater Into Oceans Comes from The Amazon River
Consider this statistic: at the Amazon River Delta in northern Brazil, one-fifth of the freshwater that enters our planet’s oceans goes into the Atlantic.
The largest river delta on Earth drains more freshwater than the next seven greatest rivers, resulting in a muddy region of saline and freshwater that encompasses 2.5 million square kilometers!
Researchers Found a Complete Coral Reef System at the Amazon Delta in 2016
Scientists found a massive coral reef with a length of more than 1,000 km and a surface area of more than 9,500 km square a few years ago, right where the river and ocean meet.
The reef is said to be home to a distinctive ecosystem composed of many marine species. Still, it has been hidden from plain view for decades because of the enormous sediment upheaval brought on by the river’s flow.
Do You Know that the Amazon River Once Flowed in The Opposite Direction
The most significant turning point in the Amazon River’s history can be the formation of the Andes Mountains about 15 million years ago. The river spilled out into South America’s Pacific Coast before forming this amazing mountainous boundary.
The unrelenting river, which had been stuck on land for nearly five million years, finally discovered its ocean outlet. Still, it flowed in the opposite direction, straight into the Atlantic this time.
The Amazon River and Rainforest Host a Staggering Variety of Rare Wildlife
The Amazon Rainforest is renowned for supporting between 10% and 30% of all known plant and animal species, making it one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.
The Amazon River and its many tributaries contain more than 2,000 fish species and more than 400 amphibian species, which together make up an ecosystem.
Amazon small-ship cruises are especially exciting for observing animals on the river banks because the rivers in the Amazon are the source of all life.
No Bridges Cross the Amazon River
There are remarkably few communities along this extremely long river’s margin, which means no long-term bridge has ever been constructed, except for a few distinctive towns that have been created there.
The distinct “remote and secluded” impression of Amazon river cruises is due to the absence of significant infrastructure.
If you want to move further up the river and reach some of the more outlying eco-camps, you must get on a boat at some point.
The Amazon River has a twin river that runs parallel to it underground
In 2011, when scientists finally verified the presence of an “underground Amazon River,” identical to its above-ground twin in length and flow, the Amazon River once again grabbed headlines.
The Hamza River, which has the name of the scientist who heads the research team, travels 4 km underground and, despite being up to four times broader than the Amazon River itself, has barely a third of its water capacity.
The Amazon River experiences a striking seasonal variation of up to 15 meters
The Amazon River is the fastest-running river in the world, with an incredible 200,000 cubic meters of water streaming into the Atlantic every second.
It is even more stunning to learn about the seasonal water level rises and the resulting “flooded woodlands” that are built along the way.
These so-called areas allow cruises of the Amazon River for longer and deeper periods of time, enabling more investigation of distant areas that would otherwise be inaccessible during the drier seasons of the year.
The River’s Top Predator Is the Black Caiman
The Amazon River’s black caiman, the river’s top predator and one of the most endangered species of animals, has long been hunted for its expensive skin.
The black caiman is one of the largest members of his species found anywhere on Earth and the most feared predator in the entire jungle.
The normal Amazon caiman is very small and weighs up to 40 kg, while the black caiman can weigh up to 25 times as much and reach an average length of 5 meters.
Regional Biologists Have a Unique Sense of Humor
Indeed, scientists are known for their peculiar sense of humor, and it appears that most of them are employed in the Amazon.
The Jesus Christ Lizard (yep, it walks on water), the Prince Charles Stream Tree Frog in Ecuador, the Vampire Fish (those fangs are genuine!) and the Peanut Head Bug are some of the oddest creatures you observe in the Amazon.
During Certain Times of The Year, Thrill-Seekers Surf the Amazon River
Dramatic tidal wave phenomena (a tidal bore) known as pororoca occur in the Amazon River delta on a few full moons or approximately two to three times yearly.
Under these exceptional conditions, the ocean tide triumphs over the Amazon River flow, resulting in enormous (and backward) tidal waves reaching up to 800 kilometers inland. For the past 20 years, a yearly surfing competition has been held in this location.
The Amazon River and Its Entire Ecology Are Facing Their Gravest Threat Yet
The Amazon is up against its toughest opposition ever. The Brazilian president appears to favor agricultural interests over those of indigenous Amazon reserves and is focused on loosening protection measures for the Amazon Rainforest.
The area’s native people have historically been its staunchest defenders; because they depend on the river and forest for survival, they are the most vocal opponents of logging, mining, and oil drilling.
The Amazon is the largest jungle on Earth, and we haven’t yet fully destroyed it. This article provides interesting facts about the Amazon River. To learn more about such facts, follow this website.
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