Committed to defining and representing the Amazon region for the planet, Guardians of the Amazon presents and shares five interesting facts about the Amazon River, the source of life for the Amazon ecosystem and a key factor in the preservation of biodiversity.
- It is the longest in the world
It flows through Peru and Colombia and reaches Brazil—more specifically, the northeastern part of the country—where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean, and is approximately 7,000 kilometers long.
- The one with the highest flow
It holds the record for being not only the longest but also the river with the highest flow rate; it is estimated to carry about 219,000 cubic meters of water per second.
- It is home to 30% of the world's flora and fauna
Recent studies estimate that it is currently the site with the highest biological activity; in the Amazon River alone, there are more than 3,000 known species of fish, and some of these species are unique to the region—such as piranhas and the pink river dolphin—making it the world’s largest and most important ecosystem.
- It accounts for one-fifth of the world's fresh water
As the longest river, it is also the river that contains the most freshwater in the world, which means it accounts for approximately one-fifth of the planet's total freshwater supply
- There are no bridges built over the Amazon River
To date, no infrastructure projects—such as bridges or roads—have been built on or near the river; the only way to cross it is by boat or canoe, although on certain days of the year, it is possible to cross parts of it almost on foot.
