The Amazon River - Definition, Examples, Quiz, FAQ, Trivia
Discover the world's largest river system and its incredible ecosystem
What is the Amazon River?
The Amazon River is the largest river in the world by volume of water! It flows through South America, carrying more water than any other river. Imagine all the water from the next seven largest rivers combined - that's how much water flows through the Amazon!
This mighty river starts as small streams high in the Andes Mountains and travels over 4,000 miles before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. Along its journey, it collects water from thousands of smaller rivers and streams, creating a massive river system that supports an incredible variety of plants and animals.
Water Fact!
The Amazon River discharges about 200,000 cubic meters of water into the Atlantic Ocean every second - that's enough to fill 80 Olympic-sized swimming pools in just one second!
Location & Size
The Amazon River flows through several South American countries:
• Peru: Where the river begins as small streams in the Andes Mountains
• Colombia: Where the river forms part of the border with Peru
• Ecuador, Venezuela, and Bolivia: Countries that have rivers flowing into the Amazon
• Brazil: Where most of the river flows before reaching the Atlantic Ocean
Length Facts
For many years, the Amazon was considered the second longest river in the world after the Nile. But recent measurements suggest it might actually be longer!
• Estimated length: 4,000-4,300 miles (6,400-6,900 km)
• Width during rainy season: Up to 30 miles (48 km) wide!
Source
Begins in the Andes Mountains of Peru
Journey
Flows east across South America
Mouth
Empties into the Atlantic Ocean in Brazil
Why the Amazon River is Famous
The Amazon River holds several world records that make it truly special:
Largest by Volume
Carries 20% of all river water flowing into oceans
Second Longest
Nearly as long as Africa's Nile River
Most Biodiverse
Home to more fish species than any other river
The Amazon is also famous for:
• The Amazon Rainforest it flows through - the largest tropical rainforest in the world
• Its massive size - during rainy season, it can flood areas up to 30 miles wide
• The pink river dolphins that live only in its waters
• Being so wide in places that you can't see the opposite shore
The Amazon River Basin
The Amazon River doesn't flow alone! It's part of a massive system called the Amazon Basin. This is the area of land that drains into the Amazon River and its tributaries (smaller rivers that flow into it).
The Amazon Basin covers about 2.7 million square miles (7 million square kilometers) - that's nearly the size of Australia! This basin includes parts of 9 different countries in South America.
Rainforest Connection
The Amazon Basin is covered mostly by the Amazon Rainforest, which produces 20% of the world's oxygen and is often called the "Lungs of the Earth."
Tributary Facts
• Over 1,100 tributaries flow into the Amazon River
• 17 of these tributaries are longer than 1,000 miles!
• The Rio Negro (Black River) is the largest tributary
Amazing Animals of the Amazon River
The Amazon River is home to more species of fish than any other river in the world! Scientists estimate there are over 3,000 different types of fish living in its waters. Let's meet some of the most interesting creatures:
Amazon River Dolphin
Pink freshwater dolphins that can turn their necks
Piranha
Sharp-toothed fish that hunt in groups
Giant Arapaima
One of the largest freshwater fish (up to 15 ft long!)
Electric Eel
Creates electric shocks to stun prey
Black Caiman
Large crocodilian that can grow to 16 feet
Amazon Manatee
Gentle giant that eats aquatic plants
These are just a few of the amazing creatures that call the Amazon River home. The river also supports:
• Hundreds of bird species like macaws and herons
• Mammals like capybaras (world's largest rodents) and giant river otters
• Reptiles including anacondas and various turtle species
• Countless insects and other invertebrates
Amazon River Quiz
Test your knowledge about the Amazon River with this interactive quiz!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions about the Amazon River:
Fascinating Amazon River Facts
Discover amazing trivia about the world's mightiest river:
Freshwater in the Ocean
The Amazon releases so much freshwater into the Atlantic that you can drink ocean water more than 100 miles from shore! The freshwater plume extends over 1 million square miles.
No Bridges!
There are no bridges across the entire Amazon River! The river is so wide and its banks so marshy that building bridges is extremely difficult. People cross by boat or ferry instead.
New Species Found Daily
Scientists discover a new species in the Amazon every other day on average! Between 1999 and 2009, researchers identified more than 1,200 new species of plants and animals.
Underwater River
In 2011, scientists discovered an underground river flowing 4km beneath the Amazon! The Hamza River moves much slower than the Amazon above it, at about 1mm per second.
