The Amazon River is one of the most astonishing rivers in the world. It is surrounded by the Amazon Rainforest, and flows through South America, mainly in Brazil. This river is approximately 4,000 miles long.
Amazon River is the longest or second longest river in the world, I used the word “or” because the Nile River in Africa is also often considered the longest river. However, recent studies about the Amazon River suggest that it may be slightly longer. So there is a clash over which river holds the title of the longest river in the world.
Amazon River has over 1,100 smaller rivers that flow into it.
Can you imagine that among these rivers, few are longer than major rivers in other countries? For example, the Rio Negro and Madeira Rivers, both of these tributaries are longer than the Thames River in England and the Seine River in France. Astonishing!
What Are 5 Interesting Facts About The Amazon River?
Let’s learn some interesting facts about the Amazon River.
1. Amazon Has a “Secret” Underground River:
There’s another river, deep below the Amazon. It’s called the Rio Hamza.
It’s a very big river and even wider than the Amazon itself.
The length of Rio Hamza is approximately 6,000 kilometers (3,700 miles), and you know what it is considered 100 times wider than Amazon.
However, the flow rate of Rio Hamza is much slower than Amazon.
Scientists discovered the Rio Hamza in 2011. It’s a fascinating discovery that shows us how much there is still to learn about our planet.
I found this information while reading the Brazilian Scientific Journal and I was shocked at how infinite this world is, and we humans still haven’t fully discovered our planet. We don’t know how many other rivers there are, that no one knows about. No doubt, ALLAH is a big creator.
2. The World’s Largest River by Volume:
The Amazon River is a really very big river. And the most amazing fact is that it’s so big that it can hold more water than the next seven biggest rivers in the world if they are put together.
It’s so wide that in some places, it looks like a small ocean. And it’s so long that it can take weeks to travel from one end to the other.
The Amazon River holds a huge amount of water. This water is very important for people, plants & animals & plays a vital role in the world’s ecosystem.
When I was studying about Amazon River, I called my friend Wahaj who is a Geologist. A random question came to my mind and I was very curious about what would happen if the Amazon River dried up. Then he said that it would be a global disaster for both humans and the environment. He told me that, the Amazon River absorbs the large amount of carbon dioxide that helps to decrease Global Warming.
Without the Amazon, the rate of climate change would speed up, which result in more extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and loss of biodiversity. Also, it is very vital for the hydrological cycle of South America, and if it were disrupted, then this lead to droughts, floods, and other water-related problems.
After a detailed conversation with Wahaj, I realized how rivers and forests are essential for the environment, and we people destroy them for the sake of residency societies or another purpose.
3. Home to the World’s Largest Dolphin & Freshwater Fish:
Amazon River is the home to the World’s Largest Dolphin “Inia geoffrensis” which is known as the Amazon River dolphin or pink river dolphin. This is the only dolphin species that is found in the Amazon River basin. The Amazon River Dolphin is now among the endangered species due to human activities.
There is a decline in its population because of pollution of the river and these are also hunted by fishermen for use as baits. However, conservation efforts are taken to prevent such activities.
The Amazon River is also home to the monster fish “arapaima”, which is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. It can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) long and weigh over 400 pounds (180 kg). This fish is among the iconic species of the Amazon.
4. Amazon has No Bridge:
It is really surprising and interesting that there is no bridge across the entire river and it spans over 4000 miles.
The reason behind no bridge is that the river flows through remote areas and dense forests, due to which road construction is difficult. Most transportation in the Amazon basin is done by boat and the river itself serves as a national highway.
5. Amazon River’s tidal bore:
The Amazon River’s tidal bore is generally called the Pororoca. This is a rare & great event where a massive wave is caused by ocean tides, which travels upstream along the Amazon River.
It is a huge wave that moves upstream instead of going out to the ocean. This happens when the high tides from the Atlantic Ocean are pushed against the river’s flow, which creates a big wave that travels up the river.
The Pororoca can make waves as high as four meters and can move quickly at about 25 km/h. This usually lasts for a few minutes.
It happens most often during the new and full moons in the rainy season, which is usually between February & March when there is the biggest difference between high and low tides. The wave can go as far as 800 kilometers up the river from where it meets the ocean.
This is a major event for surfers, however, it is dangerous too because of debris and animals in the water.
This is one of the most unique natural phenomena on Earth and a rare feature of the Amazon.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the source of the Amazon River?
The source of the Amazon River is the Andes Mountains of Peru.
Does the Amazon River flow into the ocean?
Yes, the Amazon River flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Its mouth is vast, releasing more fresh water into the ocean than any other river in the world.
Can people swim in the Amazon River?
Yes, it’s possible to swim in a few areas of the Amazon River, but it can be dangerous due to strong streams and wildlife like piranhas and caimans.
How many countries does the Amazon River run through?
The Amazon River runs through 6 countries; Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Bolivia.
How old is the Amazon River?
Scientists estimate that the Amazon River is about 11 million years old, but its current eastward flow has existed for around 2.4 million years.
How much water does the Amazon River carry?
The Amazon River carries about 20% of the world’s freshwater, and discharges approximately 209,000 cubic meters per second of water into the Atlantic Ocean.
How deep is the Amazon River?
The Amazon River can be as deep as 100 meters in some parts, however, the average depth of the river is usually between 20 to 50 meters.
Learn more about the Amazon River on Wikipedia.
