The Amazon River

Size and Scale

The Amazon River, located in South America, is the world's largest river by a wide margin. It contributes 20% of the world's fresh water that flows into the ocean, with an average of 230,000 m³ of water flowing out each second 1. The length of the Amazon is debated due to varying definitions of its start and end points, but it can be considered either slightly shorter or longer than the Nile 2. During the wet season, the river can expand to a width of 24.8 miles, making it the widest river in the world 2.

The Amazon River is the largest river in the world, and it isn't even close.

--- Gary Arndt

The Amazon basin, the largest in the world, spans approximately 7 million km² and includes water from several countries, primarily Brazil 2.

   

Geography

The Amazon River's geographical features are shaped significantly by the Andes mountains and its tropical latitude. The Andes act as a barrier to moisture, causing rain to flow back into the Amazon basin, which is like a giant bowl due to elevated escarpments on both sides 3. The river might be older than the Andes, potentially draining into the Pacific about 10 million years ago 3. The Amazon basin's vast size and tropical location contribute to the world's largest rainforest, home to a third of all known animal species 3.

The enormous Amazon basin coupled with its tropical latitude results in the Amazon rainforest, the world's largest.

--- Gary Arndt

The Amazon River also has a subterranean counterpart, the Hamza river, which follows a similar path but lies 4 km below the surface 3.

   

Water Flow

The Amazon River's water flow is unparalleled, with its immense volume affecting even the sea level in the Caribbean. The river's flow is so substantial that it raises the Caribbean sea level by 3 cm 1. This massive flow is due to the warm, moist air from the Atlantic, which precipitates over the Andes and flows back into the Amazon basin 3. The Amazon's water flow supports a rich ecosystem, including unique species like the pink Amazon river dolphin and the giant otter 3.

A full 20% of the world's fresh water that flows into the ocean comes from the Amazon.

--- Gary Arndt

The river's flow is also influenced by its numerous tributaries and the overall geography of the basin, making it a vital component of the region's biodiversity 1.