The Amazon rainforest, otherwise known as Amazonia or “Amazon jungle”, represents over half of the planet’s remaining rainforests. It comprises the largest and most biodiverse tract of tropical rainforest in the world, with an estimated amount of 390 billion individual trees divided into more than 16000 species. The forest is very important for our planet, so here are 10 fascinating facts about the Amazon rainforest.
1. The world’s largest tropical forest
The Amazon jungle is the world’s largest tropical forest. The Amazon basin encompasses 7000000 km2, of which 5500000 km2 are covered by the rainforest.
2. Home to tens of thousands of plants
The Amazon rainforest is home to tens of thousands of plants, from the smallest to the giant plants that live in this place.
3. Spans 9 different countries
The forest is located in South America and spans across 9 countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.
4. Home to 1500 species of amphibians
The Amazon jungle is also the home to more than 1500 species of amphibians, such as frogs, toads, and tree frogs. The more beautiful colors they have, the more poisonous and dangerous they are!
5. It has the second-longest river in the world
The Amazon River is the world’s second-longest river, the River Nile being the largest.
6. The river is home to millions of species
There are more than 30 million species that live in the Amazon river basin, and more than a thousand new ones are discovered every year.
7. Nature-wise it is the richest rainforest
The rainforest has around 40000 plant species, 1300 bird species, 3000 types of fish, 430 mammals, and a whopping 2.5 million different insects. It is the richest rainforest on the planet nature-wise.
8. One of the last remaining Jaguar strongholds
The Amazon jungle is the house of one of the last remaining Jaguar strongholds. Jaguar numbers are decreasing every year because of illegal hunting and the loss of their habitat from illegal logging and deforestation.
9. It is home to many Indigenous tribes and peoples
There are approximately 240 Indigenous tribes living in different territories around Brazil, according to Survival International.
10. Key to fighting climate change
And finally, what you must absolutely know: the Amazon absorbs 2 billion tons of CO2 per year (or 5% of our annual emissions), making it a vital part of preventing climate change.
