- Published on
- Category: Education
Committed to the demarcation of the Amazon region and to showing what it means for the planet, Guardians de l’Amazònia presents and shares five curious facts about the Amazon River, the source of life of the Amazon ecosystem and an essential factor in preserving biodiversity.
- It is the longest river in the world
It flows through Peru and Colombia and on into Brazil, reaching the north-east of the country, where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean. It is approximately 7,000 kilometres long.
- It carries the most water
It holds the record not only for being the longest river but also for having the greatest flow: an estimated 219,000 cubic metres of water per second.
- It is home to 30% of the world’s flora and fauna
Recent studies suggest that it is currently the place with the greatest biological activity. In the Amazon River alone there are more than 3,000 known species of fish, and some of them, such as piranhas or the pink river dolphin, are unique to the area. This makes it the largest and most important ecosystem in the world.
- It holds a fifth of the world’s fresh water
As the largest river, it is also the river that carries the most fresh water in the world, accounting for roughly a fifth of the fresh water on the entire planet.
- There are no bridges over the Amazon River
To date, no structures such as bridges or roads have been built over or near the river. The only way to cross it is by boat or canoe, although along its length there are certain places where, on some days of the year, it can be crossed almost on foot.
