Amazon River

The Amazon River passes through South America and multiple countries. Amazon River is the second longest river in the world, surpassed only by the Nile in Africa. It is the largest river by the volume of water discharged.

Traditionally, the Río Apurimac at the Mismi Peak in the Arequipa region of Peru is considered the source of the Amazon River. However, a contradictory revelation in a recent study proposes an alternative. The Mantaro River in southwestern Peru is identified as the true source of the Amazon. Therefore, the origin of the Amazon River is a topic of debate today.

Amazon River Discharge

• Amazon River discharge surpasses the combined discharge of the next seven largest independent rivers.
• It contributes a remarkable 20% of the global riverine discharge into oceans.
• The Amazon River discharges its massive volume of water into the Atlantic Ocean.
• The sheer magnitude of its discharge plays a crucial role in shaping marine environments.
• This colossal contribution influences ocean currents and biodiversity in the Atlantic.
• The Amazon’s role in the water cycle highlights its significance in global hydrological systems.

Amazon River Basin

• The Amazon River basin encompasses the region in South America drained by the Amazon River and its numerous tributaries.
• It is the largest drainage basin globally, primarily shaped by the expansive Amazon River.
• The Amazon drainage basin is a colossal geographical feature covering approximately 35.5% of the South American continent.
• Numerous South American countries fall within the expanse of the Amazon River basin, including Venezuela, Suriname, Peru, Guyana, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, and Bolivia.
• The predominant landscape of the Amazon basin is characterised by an extensive rainforest, contributing to its ecological richness.
• The Amazon rainforest, occupying a vast area of 5.5 million square kilometres, is the largest globally.
• The Amazon River basin geographically stretches from the Brazilian Highlands in the south to the Guiana Highlands in the north, creating a diverse and expansive ecosystem.

Amazon River Location

When observed on a map, the Amazon River reveals itself as a sprawling watercourse, stretching from Brazil to Peru and intricately weaving through the northern expanse of the South American continent. Its extensive system of tributaries covers substantial parts of Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and Bolivia, creating a hydrological network of immense complexity. However, measuring the Amazon is formidable due to the river’s myriad sources and tributaries. Additionally, the river’s dimensions exhibit seasonal variation, further complicating precise measurement. This dynamic nature, coupled with its vast geographical reach, underscores the Amazon’s paramount importance as one of the world’s major and intricate river systems, shaping the landscape of South America.

Amazon River Tributaries

The Amazon River boasts an extensive network of over 1,100 tributaries, showcasing the river’s remarkable hydrological complexity. Among these tributaries, twelve stand out for their considerable length, each exceeding 1,500 kilometres (930 miles).

Major tributaries include the following:

• Branco
• Casiquiare Canal
• Caquetá
• Huallaga
• Putumayo (or Içá River)
• Javary (or Yavarí)
• Juruá
• Madeira
• Marañón
• Morona
• Nanay
• Napo
• Negro
• Pastaza
• Purús
• Tambo
• Tapajós
• Tigre
• Tocantins
• Trombetas
• Ucayali
• Xingu
• Yapura

These tributaries contribute significantly to the overall flow and complexity of the Amazon River system, enhancing its ecological diversity and making it a vital component of South America’s landscape.

Amazon River Life

The Amazon River is a remarkable aquatic ecosystem, hosting an astonishing diversity of fish species. According to Dorling Kindersley (DK), more than 5,600 known fish species thrive in its waters, including a captivating array of 100 electric fish species and as many as 60 species of piranhas. Among the notable inhabitants is the arapaima or pirarucu, a colossal freshwater fish that ranks among the largest globally, reaching lengths of up to 15 feet or 4.6 meters.

Not only is the Amazon River home to a wide variety of fish, but it also harbours unique and fascinating aquatic mammals. The Amazon River dolphin, the largest species globally, graces these waters. An intriguing feature of this dolphin is its colour-changing ability, transitioning from grey to pink to white with age. In addition to the dolphin, the giant otter and the Amazonian manatee contribute to the rich tapestry of life in these tropical waters, adding to the ecological significance of the Amazon River basin.

Amazon River Reefs

An international team of scientists on an expedition to the Amazon River discovered a thriving coral reef system within the river’s plume, where it meets the ocean. Typically, when river water enters the ocean, it creates conditions unfavourable for reef growth due to changes in salinity, pH, sedimentation, temperature, light penetration, and nutrient availability. However, the Amazon plume, reaching as far north as the Caribbean Sea, revealed corals living part of the year in darkness below the turbid plume. The discovery challenges expectations, and researchers are still exploring the metabolic processes that sustain these unique reefs.

Unfortunately, the newfound coral reefs in the Amazon River face human-induced threats such as oil drilling, phosphate mining, and fishing pressure. Additionally, the reefs are vulnerable to ocean warming and acidification resulting from the combustion of fossil CO2. Climate change impacts the tropical water cycle, including the Amazon River. It further complicates the challenges these unique ecosystems confront.

Amazon River: Transportation

In the vast and challenging landscape of the Amazon, where dense jungles and limited roadways prevail, the Amazon River remains a crucial means of transportation, particularly for the indigenous communities, as The Nature Conservancy notes. Riverboats and ships serve as common vessels, facilitating the movement of people, tourists, and goods across different regions of the Amazon.

However, the increasing population relying on this largely unsupervised waterway has brought forth an ancient threat – piracy. The current surge in population, coupled with the emergence of drug gangs and organised crime in the Amazon basin, has created more opportunities for hijackings. Slow-moving riverboats, vulnerable to faster, heavily armed thieves, become easy targets, often seized after nightfall. Local authorities struggle to curb the rising incidents, signalling a complex challenge in controlling river piracy.

FAQs on Amazon River

What is the Amazon River's Length?

The Amazon River is approximately 6,400 kilometres (4,000 miles) long, making it the second-longest river globally, after the Nile in Africa.

How Many Tributaries Does the Amazon River Have?

The Amazon River boasts over 1,100 tributaries, contributing to its vast and intricate network of waterways.

What Unique Ecosystems Thrive in the Amazon River?

The Amazon River hosts diverse ecosystems, with over 5,600 known fish species, including iconic inhabitants like piranhas and the Amazon River dolphin. Additionally, it recently revealed the existence of coral reefs within its plume, defying traditional expectations.

Why is it called the Amazon River?

The Amazon River flows through several countries in South America, but it's mainly in Brazil. It also passes through Peru, Colombia, and smaller parts of some other countries. Brazil is where you'll find most of this huge and important river.