For many years, it was thought that the Nile was the longest river in the world. However, new research suggests that this honour should actually go to the Amazon Measuring the length of a river is not always straightforward, because the exact locations of its mouth and its source need to be determined. In June 2007, scientists on an expedition in the mountains of Peru claimed that they had found the true source of the Amazon, and that it was much further south than had been previously believed. It they are correct, it would increase the length of the Amazon from 6, 437 km to about 6,800 km, making it longer than the Nile (estimated to be 6, 695 km long) and consequently our planet's longest river. Despite the Amazon's incredible length, it is an interesting fact that no bridges cross the river at any point.
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Debate is likely to continue about the length of the Amazon. However, there is absolutely no doubt that it carries more water than any other river. It is fed by around 15,000 smaler rivers (called tributaries), and the Amazon and its tributaries flow through six countries: Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Brazil. Some people have calculated that the Amazon can discharge as much as 200 million litres of water every secibd into the Atlantic Ocean. This is so much fresh water that, for some distance off the coast, the water is drinkable, and not salty.
The Amazon is impressive for far more than just its size. The river and the raiforest which surrounds it make up the most diverse ecosystem on our planet. The Amazon teems with life.More than 3,00 species of fish have been found in its waters, including piranhas and the largest freshwater fish in the world, the arapaima. The river is also home to species of dolphin, the giant other, turtles and alligators. Also lurking in its shallow waters are anacondas, the largest snake in the world.
The Amazon rainforest is also home to a staggering variety of life forms. There are an estimated two and half million species of birds and mammals, many of which are unique to this area.
In eddition to all these creatures, a large number of people also call the Amazon Rainforest home. Most of these people live in town and cities, but there are also large numbers of indigenous people who have traditional lifestyles.
In the Brazilian amazon alone, there are thought to be as many as 400 different indigenous groups, some of whom still have very little contact with our "outside" world. These tribes are heavily dependent on the rainforest for their survival. It provides almost all of their food, clothes, medicines and shelter. These people tend to live in small settlements. They hunt and fish, and clear small areas of the forest for farming. As these are only small numbers of these people, their lifestyle is sustainable- they do not do any long- term damage to the forest. When their farmland becomes less fertile ( typically after four or five years), they move on to a new area and the rainforest quickly grows back.
Sadly, this traditional way of life is under threat. Logging, mining and oil companies, as well as cattle farmers, are destroying huge areas of the rainforest where indigenous tribes used to live. When this happens, the indigenous people are forced to move to other areas, sometimes even to crowded cities, where they have to struggle to adapt to urban life.
The destruction of the rainforest threatens these indigenous people and countries species of plants and animals. It may also dramatically affect the whole planet. The trees in the rainforest absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide - one of the responsible for global warming.
What is more, it is believed that plants that grow in the rainforest may provide us with invaluable new medicines. Many drugs which use plants from the Amazon as ingredients have already been developed. Plants which have not yet been discovered may offer cures for a range of life-threatening illnesses. We cannot simply look on as the rainforest is destroyed. It is vitally important that we do everything we can to protect the rainforest and the mighty Amazon River which flows through it.
Feel free to share your thoughts on the topic:
.jpg)
Debate is likely to continue about the length of the Amazon. However, there is absolutely no doubt that it carries more water than any other river. It is fed by around 15,000 smaler rivers (called tributaries), and the Amazon and its tributaries flow through six countries: Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Brazil. Some people have calculated that the Amazon can discharge as much as 200 million litres of water every secibd into the Atlantic Ocean. This is so much fresh water that, for some distance off the coast, the water is drinkable, and not salty.
The Amazon is impressive for far more than just its size. The river and the raiforest which surrounds it make up the most diverse ecosystem on our planet. The Amazon teems with life.More than 3,00 species of fish have been found in its waters, including piranhas and the largest freshwater fish in the world, the arapaima. The river is also home to species of dolphin, the giant other, turtles and alligators. Also lurking in its shallow waters are anacondas, the largest snake in the world.
The Amazon rainforest is also home to a staggering variety of life forms. There are an estimated two and half million species of birds and mammals, many of which are unique to this area.
In eddition to all these creatures, a large number of people also call the Amazon Rainforest home. Most of these people live in town and cities, but there are also large numbers of indigenous people who have traditional lifestyles.
In the Brazilian amazon alone, there are thought to be as many as 400 different indigenous groups, some of whom still have very little contact with our "outside" world. These tribes are heavily dependent on the rainforest for their survival. It provides almost all of their food, clothes, medicines and shelter. These people tend to live in small settlements. They hunt and fish, and clear small areas of the forest for farming. As these are only small numbers of these people, their lifestyle is sustainable- they do not do any long- term damage to the forest. When their farmland becomes less fertile ( typically after four or five years), they move on to a new area and the rainforest quickly grows back.Sadly, this traditional way of life is under threat. Logging, mining and oil companies, as well as cattle farmers, are destroying huge areas of the rainforest where indigenous tribes used to live. When this happens, the indigenous people are forced to move to other areas, sometimes even to crowded cities, where they have to struggle to adapt to urban life.
The destruction of the rainforest threatens these indigenous people and countries species of plants and animals. It may also dramatically affect the whole planet. The trees in the rainforest absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide - one of the responsible for global warming.
What is more, it is believed that plants that grow in the rainforest may provide us with invaluable new medicines. Many drugs which use plants from the Amazon as ingredients have already been developed. Plants which have not yet been discovered may offer cures for a range of life-threatening illnesses. We cannot simply look on as the rainforest is destroyed. It is vitally important that we do everything we can to protect the rainforest and the mighty Amazon River which flows through it.
Feel free to share your thoughts on the topic:
This is so important post! It' s a vary interesting geography lesson about Amazon river!!! Thanks, a lot!
ΑπάντησηΔιαγραφήPeter