INTRODUCTION:
Located in South America, the Amazon is the largest and second longest river (after the Nile) in the world. It flows through the countries of Guyana, Ecuador, Venezuela, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. At about 4000 miles (6400 km) long, this river has its source at Nevado Mismi, which is the peak of a volcano in The Andes Mountain Range, Peru, and the mouth is the Atlantic Ocean, Brazil. The Amazon has over 200 tributaries! Surprisingly, no bridges pass over it. Nobody needs them. The Amazon River floods a lot because of the many storms in the rainforest. The largest city along the Amazon River is Manaus, Brazil. It has a population of 1.7 million people.
HISTORY:
The Amazon River was first seen by a European in 1500. Vincente Vinzon spotted it while on an expedition. In 1541-1542, Francisco de Orellana led the first exploration by a European of the river. On June 24, 1542, Indian warriors attacked Orellana’s crew. He called these warriors “Amazons” after Greek Mythology. Later, the river and surrounding rainforest were called “The Amazon”. In the mid 19th century, the Amazon Basin became a significant source of rubber for Asia, but later, the country found a cheaper way of getting rubber.
WILDLIFE:
The Amazon River is home to various types of animals. More than 3,000 species of fish live there including the vicious meat-eating piranha. More fish are being discovered all the time. The anaconda, one of the largest snakes in the world, also lives the the river. Many reptiles, fish, amphibians, and even some mammals live in the Amazon. But these animals are in danger because people are polluting the beautiful lively body of water.
The Amazon River is amazingly extraordinary, but people are harming it and making it dirty. Pollution is hurting the animals. Save the river! The Amazon needs help!
Located in South America, the Amazon is the largest and second longest river (after the Nile) in the world. It flows through the countries of Guyana, Ecuador, Venezuela, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. At about 4000 miles (6400 km) long, this river has its source at Nevado Mismi, which is the peak of a volcano in The Andes Mountain Range, Peru, and the mouth is the Atlantic Ocean, Brazil. The Amazon has over 200 tributaries! Surprisingly, no bridges pass over it. Nobody needs them. The Amazon River floods a lot because of the many storms in the rainforest. The largest city along the Amazon River is Manaus, Brazil. It has a population of 1.7 million people.
HISTORY:
The Amazon River was first seen by a European in 1500. Vincente Vinzon spotted it while on an expedition. In 1541-1542, Francisco de Orellana led the first exploration by a European of the river. On June 24, 1542, Indian warriors attacked Orellana’s crew. He called these warriors “Amazons” after Greek Mythology. Later, the river and surrounding rainforest were called “The Amazon”. In the mid 19th century, the Amazon Basin became a significant source of rubber for Asia, but later, the country found a cheaper way of getting rubber.
WILDLIFE:
The Amazon River is home to various types of animals. More than 3,000 species of fish live there including the vicious meat-eating piranha. More fish are being discovered all the time. The anaconda, one of the largest snakes in the world, also lives the the river. Many reptiles, fish, amphibians, and even some mammals live in the Amazon. But these animals are in danger because people are polluting the beautiful lively body of water.
The Amazon River is amazingly extraordinary, but people are harming it and making it dirty. Pollution is hurting the animals. Save the river! The Amazon needs help!