Direction of the Amazon River on the map. Interesting news from around the world

Many people not only do not know where the Amazon River flows into, but also where it flows. Meanwhile, the Amazon is considered one of the world's largest rivers. It stores a significant part of all fresh waters of the Earth.

• The Amazon is formed by the confluence of small water arteries - Ucayali and Maranyon. The former is often called the mother of the great river. Unusual animals live in its waters - pink dolphins. Amazonian manatees and otters also live here. this river you can meet ethnic groups that refuse to contact civilization. These people are well acquainted with the local vegetation, which they skillfully use for their own needs.
• One of the first Europeans who visited the shores of the Amazon was A. Vespucci. In connection with the spread of Christianity, one of the names of the water artery was Santa Maria of the fresh sea.

Beginning and the end

Despite lengthy disputes, experts still have not decided where the river is “born”. Even at Ucayali it is difficult to find the beginning, since it was formed by 2 smaller water arteries - Urubamba and Tambo. They start high up in the mountains. In a certain area, Ucayali is navigable. Some scientists believe that the great river is "born" from Ucayali. Adhering to this opinion, the researchers calculated the length of the great river - more than 7 thousand kilometers. Thanks to its “mother”, the Amazon is 400 km longer than the Egyptian Nile.

The mouth of the river is considered Atlantic Ocean with which it connects. It defines some features of the delta, which occupies at least hundreds of thousands of square kilometers. This place is considered dangerous because of the freshwater sharks that live here in considerable numbers, which are not able to live in the ocean. The presence of predators is explained by the fact that the salty Atlantic water is diluted with river water. This reduces the salt concentration and makes the delta suitable for freshwater predators.

The delta contains many islands and straits. The mouth is not located in the Atlantic Ocean, but in the depths of the continent. Strong ocean tides significantly shifted the mouth, and thus it turned out to be inside the mainland. Due to its unusual features, the locals call the Amazon a river-sea.

The place where the ocean and the river meet is called "pororoka" ("thundering water") by the native Indian tribes. The majestic shaft is formed as a result of the confluence of the waters. This shaft is able to destroy all obstacles. locals prefer to avoid "thundering water", which can easily capsize a small vessel.

Indian tribes living on the banks of one of the largest waterways, not only know where the Amazon River flows. They consider her animate sentient being which must be treated with the utmost respect. The thundering vice needs special reverence. The Indians are sure that the raging element formed by the combination of two waters is a powerful spirit. Disrespect for him will bring death to all the inhabitants of the great river.

The real discoverer of the Amazon was Francisco de Orellana, an officer from the detachment of conquistadors Gonzalo Pizarro, who, on his second attempt, made in December 1541 in order to conquer new lands in the name of the king of Spain, traveled 600 km by ship down the Napo River to its confluence with big river near modern city, and then followed this river, now known as the Amazon, 1200 km and reached on June 3, 1542, the place of its confluence with the Rio Negro (near modern Manaus). It was here that the conquistadors had a chance to encounter a tribe of warlike Indians, whom Orellana, tired of a long journey, could mistake for women because of their long hair and bright colors, although it is possible that there were also women among the attackers. Later, Orellana told Charles V about the incident, and he, mindful of the ancient Greek warriors, dubbed the river the Amazon. But then, for the members of the expedition, it was the Great River, Mar Dulce, and also the Cinnamon River, since Orellana spotted trees related to cinnamon on its banks. The expedition continued its journey to the very mouth, overcame the tidal wave and entered the ocean. Thus, the Amazon in its main course turned out to be navigable, and the Orellana expedition - one of the most successful and incredible in history. geographical discoveries.
The second descent down the Amazon was made by Lope de Aguirre, another furious Spanish conquistador. But the first ascent from the mouth of the Amazon to Napo, then up to Quito, and after that he made the descent back the same way in 1637-1647. Portuguese Pedro Teixeira, who attracted almost two thousand natives and blacks to the expedition to transport food, ammunition and barter goods by canoe. Since then, trading and missionary settlements began to form on the banks of the tributaries of the Amazon. By the middle of the XIX century. The population of the Amazon basin reached 300,000 people, two-thirds of whom were Europeans and slaves.
In the 1850s, with the light hand of the Emperor of Brazil, Pedro II, navigation on the Amazon began, the first steamboats began to make regular trips between Manaus and Tabatinga and between Para (the current Belem at the mouth of the river) and Manaus. Steamboat companies multiplied, small ships began to surf the many tributaries of the Amazon. In 1867, the Brazilian government, under pressure from other maritime powers and states upper basin The Amazon has opened the river to all flags, but with certain restrictions. At the turn of the XX century. The Amazon Basin has become a major supplier of rubber, cocoa beans, Brazil nuts and a variety of other exotic exports. Until recently, the river was considered the longest river in the world, which it continues to appear in most textbooks. However, the glory of the most full-flowing and mighty river is not enough for the Amazon, according to the results of recent research, it has become longer than the Nile, although not all scientists agree with this. The question is which of the two rivers Marañon or Ucayali should be considered the main source of the Amazon. If Marañon, then the length of the Amazon will be no more than 6,500 km, and if we count from Apacheta, the source of the sources of the Ucayali, then the length of the great river grows to more than 7,000 km.
From the confluence of Marañon and Ucayali, southwest of the Peruvian city of Iquitos, the true Amazon begins, which in Brazil, however, bears the name of Solimões right up to Manaus. The yellow-sand waters of Solimões in the Manaus region merge with the black-transparent waters of the Rio Negro and flow side by side for a distance of 6 km without mixing - a two-color stream.

In some places, the Amazon channel is divided into two main currents with internal and lateral branches and forms a complex intertwining system of natural channels that cut flat land into numerous islands, nowhere rising more than 5 m above the water level. The slope of the channel in the flat Amazon valley is only 1 cm per 1 km, and it turns out that the river actually moves only thanks to the tributaries that “push” the water. For the same reason, during the rainy season, it can spread more than 100 km wide. The Amazon ejects about 220 thousand cubic meters of water per second into the Atlantic (in the rainy season this figure rises to 300 thousand), desalinating the ocean within a radius of 500 km.
The river is navigable for almost its entire length. Ocean-going vessels reach Manaus from the Atlantic, and all the rest reach Iquitos and above.
The size of the Amazon Delta is also controversial due to the geographical identity of the area. If the river Para is considered a branch of the mouth of the Amazon, it grows up to 330 km and includes the island of Marajo, the largest island in the world (the size of Denmark), surrounded by fresh waters. If we consider Para as a continuation of the Tocantins River, then the width of the mouth of the Amazon to the island of Marajo will be about 180 km, which is also quite a lot.
The famous Amazon jungle occupies almost the entire area of ​​its basin. This is the largest array of tropical forests in the world, which is rightly called " green lungs» planet, because the trees of the Amazonian jungle produce about a third of the oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere. Alas, between Manaus and the mouth of the Amazon, the jungle has lost its virgin appearance, since people have already done enough to devastate it. And the onset of civilization, which violates the ecological balance of this system, continues.

general information

Amazon basin countries: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia.

Major port cities: Manaus, Iquitos, Macala, Santarem.

Sources: Marakion, Ucayali (originate in the Andes).

Major tributaries: right - Zhurua, Purus, Madeira, Tapajos, Xingu, Tocantins; left - Isa Japura, Rio Negro.

Mouth: Atlantic Ocean

Numbers

Average water flow at the mouth: 219,000 m3/s

Pool area: 7,050,000 km2.
Average depth during the rainy season: 40 m, maximum (at the mouth) - 140 m.

Width at mouth: 330 km (including Para).

Amazon jungle area: 5,500,000 km2.

Economy

Natural resources: wood, rubber.

Fishing.

Shipping.

Forestry.

Climate and weather

Average annual temperature:+25ºС.

Annual precipitation: 2000-3000 mm.

Attractions

Curious facts

We welcome all readers of the site "I and the World"! If you are asked the question: where is the Amazon River? Can you answer through which countries it flows and on which mainland it is located? Where does it start and where does it end? In what direction is it flowing? In this article, we will try to answer these and other questions.

This incredible river is full of such surprises that you simply did not know about. Almost 20% of the oxygen for the surrounding world is produced by its forests, and reserves drinking water enough a large number of. It is so large that some tribes living on its shores are completely unfamiliar with civilization.

Without a doubt, the Amazon is the largest in South America. In what direction does it flow? Its waters flow from west to east, crossing almost the entire continent and flowing into the Atlantic Ocean.

It has three sources: if we consider its length in km, then from one of them, the length will be over 7000. Most of it flows in Brazil, the rest of the distance belongs to Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. The total area of ​​its basin is almost the same as the entire continent of Australia.

The diet of the Amazon is quite diverse: from many tributaries, from precipitation, since the climate on the river is constantly humid. She also receives snow recharge. The world map clearly shows that the river is located almost on the equator, and a huge amount of precipitation falls here every year. And that's why it's so full of water. There are a huge number of rapids in this part, so there can be no talk of any shipping.

The nature of the current of the Amazon depends on the topography of the area through which it flows. At the beginning, the course is quite rough, because you have to make your way through the mountains and hills. Going down, the waters flow quite smoothly and calmly, due to the small slope of the terrain.

The photo shows that the Amazon is so overflowing that it looks more like a sea and reaches 80 km in width. But this figure cannot be compared with the width of the mouth - 325 km and a depth of 135 m.

Here are some pretty Interesting Facts. On the territory of Brazil, where the Amazon flows, they discovered a very long underground river just under the Amazon at a depth of 4 km. According to some signs, its width reaches 400 km, and the speed of the current is only 1 mm per second.

Animal world so diverse that more than half of all species living on our planet live here. And there are more than 10 million of them. The basin of the entire river is called the "kingdom of palm trees", because of all the plants, more than 800 species of palm trees grow here. In many photos and pictures, we see a variety of vegetation in its pool.

Opportunities for economic development are rather big. This is fishing, and shipping, and the construction of power plants, and its huge water reserves are used by man to irrigate farmland. And although the use of the river is not so great compared to its size, but even the smallest intervention in the life of the Amazon has a detrimental effect on the environment.

Which river is longer: the Volga, the Nile or the Amazon?

The Volga is about twice as short as the Amazon, although it is considered the longest in Europe. And the Nile River, which flows in Africa, is slightly inferior in length to the Amazon, so we also talked about the longest river in the world (although no one can accurately name the distance between these two rivers).

We tried to make for you beautiful description Amazon, tell about its inhabitants, about its features, in which countries it flows, where are the origins and mouth of this famous river, its length in kilometers.

If you want to go there, try to be more attentive to its dangers. And we say goodbye to you! See you soon! If you liked the article, please share with your friends.

The famous river, making its way throughout South America, haunts researchers around the world. The Amazon can be studied endlessly, but it is impossible to know it to the end.

Amazon at the origins of the legend

The Amazon is the most aquiferous and deep river worldwide. She gives a fifth of all water reserves world ocean. The greatest river of all that exists on the planet originates in the Andes and ends its journey in the Atlantic Ocean from Brazil.

All South America is washed by the waters of the longest river.

Tribe Aparai, they come from the south coast of the Amazon.

History of the discovery of the Amazon

The confluence of the Ucayali and Marañon rivers forms the majestic Amazon, which continues its uninterrupted path for several millennia. There is information that the Amazon got its name thanks to the Spanish conquistadors, who once fought with the Indians on the banks of the mighty river.

Then the Spaniards were struck by the fearlessness with which warlike Indian women fought with them.

Unexplored Amazon.

So the river got its name, which has always been associated with the once existing female tribes of brave warriors. What is true here, and what is fiction? Historians are still guessing and conducting scientific disputes about this.

In 1553, the Amazon was first mentioned in the famous book Chronicle of Peru.

The Aboriginal tribe makes first contact with the outside world.

First news of the Amazons

The very first information about the Amazons dates back to 1539. Conquistador Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada participated in a campaign through the territory of Colombia. He was accompanied by royal officials, whose subsequent report contains information about a halt in the Bogotá valley. It was there that they learned about an amazing tribe of women who lived on their own and used the stronger sex only for procreation. The locals called them Amazons.

Floating houses of Iquitos, Amazon river, Peru

It is mentioned that the Queen of the Amazons was called Harativa. Presumably, the conquistador Jimenez de Quesada sent his brother's warlike women to uncharted lands.

But no one has been able to confirm these data. And this information has little to do with the opening of the river itself.

Taxi on the Amazon River.

Discovery of the Francisco de Orellana River

Francisco de Orellana is a conquistador whose name is strongly associated with the name of the mighty South American Amazon. According to historical data, he was one of the first Europeans who managed to cross the country in its widest part. Naturally, the conqueror's clash with the Indian tribes was inevitable.

Route of the Orellana expedition 1541-1542.

In the summer of 1542, Orellana, along with his associates, ended up in a large village, which was located on the coast of the famous river. The royal subjects saw the local aborigines and entered into a fight with them. It was assumed that conquering the tribe would not be difficult. But the stubborn Indians did not want to recognize the authority of the Spanish ruler and fought desperately for their lands. Were they brave women or just long-haired men?

It is difficult to judge, but then the conquistador was delighted with such desperate resistance of the "Amazons" and decided to name the river in their honor. Although, according to the original idea, Francisco de Orellana was going to give her his name. Thus, the river of impenetrable jungle acquired its majestic name Amazon.

Tribal girls on the Amazon River.

Amazon River Delta

Approximately 350 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean, the delta of the deepest river in the world begins. The ancient age did not prevent the impetuous Amazon from going beyond the native shores. This was due to active tides, low tides and the influence of currents.

The beauty of the Amazon: water lilies and lilies.

Incredible masses of debris are carried by the river into the world's oceans. But this interferes with the process of delta growth.

Initially, the main tributary of the Marañon was considered the source of the Amazon. But in 1934 it was decided that the Ukayali River should be considered a priority.

Colombian Amazon

The delta of the South American Amazon has an incredible area - up to one hundred thousand square kilometers, and a width of two hundred kilometers. A huge number of tributaries and straits - this is what is characteristic of this river.

But the Amazon Delta does not fall into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Animal world by the river

Flora and fauna

Every biologist-researcher or a curious traveler who is interested in visiting the Amazon and marveling at the incredible flora and fauna will want to unknown world. Plants and animals that live along the Amazon coast, without exaggeration, make up the world's genetic fund.

The Jesus Lizard was named because it can run on the surface of the water.

More than 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, insects, invertebrates, flowers and trees - they surround the lands of the Amazon in a dense ring, ruling limitlessly. The entire basin of the mighty river occupies a wet a tropical forest. Unique natural formation or equatorial forest The Amazon surprises with its climatic conditions. Heat and high humidity are their main features.

It is noteworthy that even at night the temperature does not fall below 20 degrees.

Jaguar in the tropical jungle of the river delta.

Creepers are slender stems that quickly reach impressive lengths. To move through these dense thickets, you will obviously need to cut your own way, because almost no sunlight penetrates through the lush vegetation. The real miracle of the Amazonian flora is a huge water lily, which is able to withstand the human weight.

Up to 750 species of various trees will surely make even the most sophisticated explorer and traveler admire.

It is in the Amazon that you can see mahogany, hevea and cocoa, as well as unique ceiba, the fruits of which are surprisingly similar to cotton fibers.

Amazon rainforest

On the coast of the South American river there are giant dairy trees, the sweet juice of which appearance looks like milk. No less amazing fruit trees castañas, which can feed you with amazingly tasty and nutritious nuts that are somewhat reminiscent of curved dates.

The Amazon rainforests are the "lungs" of South America, so the activities of environmentalists are aimed at preserving the vegetation in its original form.

capybaras

On the coast you can often see capybaras. This is a South American rodent, which is distinguished by its impressive size and outward signs incredibly reminiscent guinea pig. The weight of such a "rodent" reaches 50 kilograms.

An unpretentious tapir lives near the shores of the Amazon. He swims superbly and reaches 200 kilograms of weight. The animal feeds on the fruits of some trees, leaves and other vegetation.

Water-loving member of the cat family dangerous predator the jaguar can easily move through the water column and even dive.

Giant Arowana

Animal world of the Amazon

The Amazon is home to a huge number of fish and other river inhabitants. Especially dangerous are the bull shark, which weighs more than 300 kilograms and reaches three meters in length, as well as piranhas. These toothy fish in just a few seconds before the skeleton can gnaw a whole horse.

But they are not the bosses in the Amazon, because caimans are a danger to all living things. This is a special kind of alligator.

Dolphin of the Amazon

Among the friendly inhabitants of the dangerous turbulent river, one can single out dolphins and beautiful ornamental fish (guppies, angelfish, swordtails), of which there are countless - more than 2,500 thousand! One of the last on the planet lungfish protopters found their home in the waters of the Amazon.

Here you can see the rare arowan. This is a meter-long fish that can jump high above the water and swallow huge bugs on the fly.

Giant snake in the Amazon.

One of the scariest creatures on the planet lives in the restless waters of the Amazon. This is a river anaconda that is not afraid of either caimans or jaguars. The deadly and swift snake can instantly overcome the enemy and kill the victim. The length of this water boa reaches 10 meters.

Piranha caught on spinning.

Ecology

The dense forests of the Amazon are an irreplaceable ecosystem that is constantly under the threat of massive deforestation of trees. The banks of the river have been devastated for a long time.

Back in the second half of the twentieth century, most of the forests were turned into pastures. As a result, the soil has been severely affected by erosion.

Tropical deforestation

Unfortunately, there is little left of the pristine jungle on the Amazon coast. Scorched and partially cut down vegetation is practically beyond restoration, although ecologists around the world are trying hopelessly to remedy the situation.

Somewhere in the Amazon jungle.

The rarest species of animals and plants have become extinct due to the disruption of the Amazon ecosystem. Otters used to live here rare breed, but global changes natural environment led to the destruction of the population. Arapaima is a real living fossil. But giant fish also threatened by imminent extinction. Four hundred million years ago, these aquatic life. But now they prefer to breed fish on local farms to save their extinction. Despite all efforts, the oldest fish in the Amazon continue to die out due to catastrophic environmental disruption.

Endangered species include the famous mahogany and real rosewood with extremely valuable wood. It is from it that expensive environmentally friendly furniture is made all over the world. It should be emphasized that active deforestation along the coast of this South American river seriously threatens not only the ecology of nearby areas, but the whole world.

Amazon on the world map

Amazon nature video

Epithets in superlatives - the longest, fullest, greatest - best feature the Amazon river.

Indeed, this is the greatest water artery the globe, in most respects significantly superior to all others.

It is to her that the richest man owes his existence. natural world South American mainland.

In contact with

Characteristics of the deepest river in the world

It is officially recognized that the Amazon is the longest and most full-flowing river in the world..

It not only nourishes and gives life to the animal and flora for thousands of miles around. For many centuries, it provided people with the only opportunity to move freely through impenetrable tropical jungle exploring new areas of residence.

Where is the Amazon

The main water artery of South America covers with its basin an area of ​​more than 7180 thousand km - almost half of the continent.

Its main channel runs along the equator through the territory of Brazil. Many tributaries that are part of the basin went to other countries - Peru, Colombia, Bolivia and Ecuador.

Originating in the mountains of Peru, at an altitude of about 5,000 m, it carries its waters, making its way through narrow gorges, gaining strength, receiving masses of water from its tributaries and regularly feeding on storm water.

And only at the exit to the main channel it calms down and spreads in breadth. Upon reaching the Atlantic, it is divided in the delta by several islands of different sizes, and flows into the ocean.

Length, width and depth

A long-standing dispute with the African Nile about primacy culminated in the victory of the Amazon relatively recently - in the 90s of the 20th century. According to the latest scientific data, its length is 7025 km.- this is as much as 400,000 m more than previously claimed. Moreover, it turned out to be not shorter, but longer than the Nile by more than 105,000 m.

The problem of establishing its true extent was due to the fact that not a single previously planned scientific expedition was able to get to the true source of the Amazon in the remote mountainous regions of the Peruvian Andes.

Already in upstream its main channel, 4.5 thousand km from the mouth, it becomes navigable. Its depth in the area of ​​Iquitas reaches an average value of 100 m, width - 2000 m.

Closer to the mouth, the river increases in size - the depth approaches 150 m, so ocean-going ships can freely enter more than 1.5 thousand km upstream. And the width in the inter-flood seasons is about 11,000 m.

Source, direction, mouth of the Amazon River

Only in 1996, as a result of analyzing the data collected by scientists on the expedition, and using satellite technology, the coordinates of the true source of the Amazon were established, which made it possible to measure its length.

As it turned out, it originates on the snow-capped mountain Mismi, at an altitude of 5170 m above sea level.

From there, Apacheta Creek makes its way through the rocky gorges, gaining strength and speed, feeding on melt waters and replenished by other mountain streams. Along the way, he changes names, becoming first small river Loket, then Hornillos, and taking in the waters of many other streams and typing top speed, turns into a roaring stream Apurimac.

High in the mountains, it absorbs a few more tributaries, called the Yene, until it descends closer to the plain and joins the Ucayali, having lost a significant part of its energy and becoming much calmer. Ucayali, connecting with the powerful and stormy in character Marañon, goes out onto the plain and already forms the main channel of a smoothly flowing flat navigable river, which is called the Solimões in the Indian dialect.

And only in the area of ​​​​the port city of Manaus, after the confluence with the Rio Negro, does it receive its official name.

The current is directed along the equator to the east - to the Atlantic Ocean.

Like the main basin, the mouth belongs to Brazil. Its length is about 250,000 m.

The largest delta in the world, with an area of ​​​​over 100 thousand km², consists of three branches that form three islands, and one of them - Moraio - is considered the world's largest river island, with total area 19,270 km².

About 15-20% of the total volume fresh water, entering the oceans, it is the Amazon that dumps. The scale of this process can be estimated from satellite images - the stream flowing into the ocean waters is distinguishable at a distance of more than 350 km from the mouth.

Main tributaries

The Amazon basin is made up of about 200 tributaries of various sizes, half of which are full-fledged navigable waterways. Two dozen tributaries have a length of more than 1500 km.

Northern tributaries:

• Khavari;
• Guallag;
• Tocantin;
• Ukayali;
• Hingu;
• Hutagi;
• Rio Preto;
• Teffe;
• Madeira;
• Aofi;
• Purus.

Southern tributaries:

• Maronia;
• Thrombetas;
• Santiogo;
• Watuma;
• Pastaza;
• Rio Negro;
• Nalo;
• Yapur;
• Putumayo.

Description of the Amazon Basin

Its unique basin consists of more than 500 aquifers, large and small, feeding an area of ​​7180 thousand km², most of which belongs to Brazil, but occupies part of the territory of neighboring states - Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia.

Starting its way high in the mountains, the Amazon overcomes the descent from a height of 5 km to the foot of the Andes, where it slows down, becoming a full-flowing river with a smoothed coastline.

A significant part of the basin forms the Amazonian lowland with an area of ​​​​more than 5 million km², densely populated by a variety of representatives of the animal world and completely covered tropical forest with extensive swamps.

During floods, it is flooded for hundreds of hectares, representing a continuous water surface with patches of vegetation. In the lower reaches, the basin feels the action of ocean tides, which flood the delta for vast distances with water of increased salinity.

When coastal zones are not affected by tidal and flood events, the Amazon returns to its shores.

Feeding the river

equatorial geographical position gives her a big advantage. The rainy seasons in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres do not occur simultaneously, so the filling of the right and left tributaries alternates. Accordingly, the sequence of water discharge into the main channel also changes.

Thus, the full flow of the Amazon is guaranteed in any season.

The second most important source of its nutrition is rain. Since the basin is overwhelmingly a subtropical jungle with a warm humid climate, the amount of water that falls to the ground in showers is very large.

River regime and its dependence on climate

The hydrological regime of the reservoir is determined by the peculiarities of its nutrition. Tributaries that carry water into the Amazon from the southern hemisphere provide high water from October to March, and tributaries of the northern hemisphere from April to October.

The rainy season, which falls in the Amazonian lowland in March-May, provides it with such a volume of water that it does not have time to dump into the ocean, so the water level quickly rises by two dozen meters. The consequence of this is the flooding of most of the coastal zone.

As you approach the mouth, the river becomes more dependent on the tide regime. When a wave front passes, rising quite high upstream, it overflows its banks, spilling over a vast territory.

The annual volume of solid particles that the river discharges into the ocean is about 1 billion tons.

Seasonal fluctuations in water flow when approaching the mouth - from 70 to 300 cubic meters per second.

Amazon Features

The lowland along which the main channel runs is the largest in the world in terms of area, while the elevation difference on it is completely insignificant. When the rainy season comes and the water level rises, the river does not have time to dump it into the ocean, flooding the surrounding area.

The small slope of the channel is the reason for the strong influence of ocean tides. This is one of the few rivers where you can observe a rare phenomenon - boron, in the local dialect called "pororoka".

When the ocean tidal wave collides with the current of the Amazon, a 4-meter water shaft is formed, which with a loud roar moves up the main channel for a distance of up to 1 thousand km, sweeping away all ships in its path that did not have time to take shelter in the side tributaries and backwaters. The name given to this phenomenon by the South American Indians means "thundering water".

The Amazon is also interesting in that at a depth of about 4 thousand meters, repeating the main terrestrial channel, the underground Hamza River slowly flows, flowing into the Atlantic Ocean also in the area of ​​​​its mouth, but much deeper.

river dwellers

Due to favorable climatic conditions, stable annual temperature and high humidity, the flora and fauna of the Amazon basin is diverse and rich. Particularly striking is the abundance of the underwater world.

Arapaima giant

Almost 2,000 different fish species that can be found in its waters - this is a third of all fish species that inhabit the freshwater reservoirs of the globe.

black caiman

In addition, a number of endemic species of fish and animals live here:

Cities in the Amazon

Since the Amazon is navigable at a distance of more than 7 thousand km from the mouth, the cities on it are also river ports. In addition, due to the impassability of the selva, most cities are only accessible by water or air transport.

An example of this is the Peruvian Indian town of Iquitos.

Since the territory of Brazil is the predominant owner of the main channel of the Amazon, the most significant port cities belong to it:

Conclusion

Such an exceptional natural-geographical and climate-forming zone as the Amazon basin requires a carefully balanced approach from a person to economic activity on its territory.

The natural balance of nature is easily destroyed by careless interference, which is currently happening. And it may take centuries to restore it and eliminate the consequences of the damage done.