The Amazon forest has been in the news, unfortunately, for the wrong reasons. The forest fires in the Amazon rainforest are causing global concern and outrage.
But the Amazon forests are one of the most intriguing and mystical locations in the world. Here are some incredible facts about the Amazon rainforests, generally called the ‘lungs of the earth’.
- Amazon is the largest tropical rainforest in the world, covering a total area of a mammoth 5.5 million square kilometres.
- It is spread across nine nations in the South American continent – Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Brazil is home to a major area of the forest – around 60 per cent of the forest is in Brazil.
- By most estimates, the rainforest is at least 55 million years old.
Image Source: www.worldwildlife.org - It is considered the most biologically diverse place on the entire Earth.
- While the forest covers just 1 per cent of the Earth’s surface, it houses 10 per cent of all the wildlife species known.
- Research indicates that a new species of flora or fauna is being discovered every three days in the Amazon!
- The ecosystem of the Amazon is very rich and diverse and the forest houses around 10 per cent of the world’s known biodiversity. The Amazon houses a variety of flora and fauna. Around 40,000 plant species, 1,300 bird species, and an astounding 2.5 million insects live in this region. The Macaw, Poison dart frog, Sloth, and Black Spider Monkey are all found in these dense forests.
The Poison Dart Frog. Image Source: https://www.worldwildlife.org - Amazon is also inhabited by over 400 indigenous tribes, more than 50 of which are still isolated and have not had any contact with the world.
- The Amazon River, which runs through the rainforest, is known to be one of the longest rivers in the world, stretching around 6,840 kilometres. It has hundreds of tributaries and streams. Further, it houses the largest number of freshwater fish species in the world..
- Every year, the Amazon forest experiences relentless rainfall, which is between 1,500 mm and 3,000 mm. It is believed that the canopy of the forest is so thick that it takes about 10 minutes for the water to reach the ground.
- The floor of the Amazon is known to be in perennial darkness due to the thickness of its canopy.
Isn’t this an absolutely fascinating place? Are there some other facts about this place that we have missed? Do let us know!
