Amazon River

Amazon River
Location and Flow:
•The Amazon River is located in South America, primarily
flowing through Brazil, but also passing through Peru,
Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Ecuador.
•It
originates from the confluence of two major rivers, the
Ucayali and Marañón, in northeastern Peru.
•The river flows eastward across the continent, passing
through the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Pará, until it
reaches the Atlantic Ocean.
Key Facts:
•The Amazon River is the largest river in terms of
discharge and one of the longest rivers in the world.
•The total length of the Amazon River is approximately
6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles), making it the second-
longest river after the Nile.
•It has the largest drainage basin in the world, covering
an area of about 7 million square kilometers (2.7 million
square miles), which is roughly equivalent to 40% of
South America's land area.
• The river and its surrounding rainforest are
collectively known as the Amazon Basin or the
Amazon Rainforest.
Origin of Name:
•The name "Amazon" is believed to
have originated from a 16th-century
Spanish expedition led by
Francisco de Orellana. It was
inspired by the fierce female
warriors encountered during the
journey, reminiscent of the
Amazons from Greek mythology.
Estuary and Outlet:
The Amazon River forms a vast estuary near its mouth, where it meets the
Atlantic Ocean.
The size of the Amazon River's estuary is approximately 330 kilometers
(205 miles) wide.
Ocean or Sea it Flows Into:
The Amazon River flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
Example of an Amazon Animal and Habitat:
One example of an animal found in the Amazon Rainforest is the jaguar (Panthera
onca). Jaguars are large, solitary cats known for their distinctive rosette-patterned fur.
They inhabit various habitats within the Amazon, including dense forests, swamps, and
grasslands.