7 Amazing Facts About the Amazon River
Fact 1: World's Second-Longest River
The Amazon River is the second-longest river in the world, stretching over 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles).
Fact 2: Largest River by Discharge
The Amazon River discharges more water than the next seven largest rivers combined, making it the world's largest river by discharge volume.
Fact 3: Diverse Ecosystem
The Amazon Rainforest, through which the river flows, is home to an incredibly diverse range of plant and animal species, many of which are not found anywhere else on Earth.
Fact 4: Pink River Dolphins
The Amazon River is home to the rare pink river dolphins, also known as boto. They are the largest species of river dolphins in the world.
Fact 5: River with the Most Islands
The Amazon River has more than 1,100 tributaries and some estimates suggest that it has over 1,000 islands, especially during the wet season.
Fact 6: Ancient Civilization Sites
There are ancient civilizations and archaeological sites along the banks of the Amazon River, indicating human habitation dating back thousands of years.
Fact 7: Threats to the Amazon River
The Amazon River and its surrounding rainforest face threats such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change, putting the entire ecosystem at risk.