9 Shocking Facts About The Amazon Jungle That Will Shock You!

The Amazon rainforest is one of the most fascinating and beautiful places on earth. This dense forest covers over half of the Northern Amazon River basin, an area that measures about 7 million square kilometers. Sadly, we are also aware that it’s one of the most threatened habitats in the world. But despite this knowledge, many people don’t know much about this unique region. The following fact about the Amazon Jungle will amaze you and make you appreciate this magical place even more. Let’s take a look at some shocking facts about the Amazon jungle that will shock you!

1. The Amazon River is the 2nd Longest in the World:
The Amazon river is the second longest river in the world after the Nile. It’s an incredible 6,300 kilometers long and passes through 10 countries. This makes it the most important river on the planet since more than 1/3 of the world’s fresh water runs through it. It’s also one of the only major rivers in the world that flows in one direction only – away from the Andes towards the Atlantic Ocean. In addition to being incredibly long, the Amazon River is also very wide. It’s the widest river in the world, with an average width of about 16 kilometers. This width also changes over time as it swells during the rainy season and shrinks during the dry season. The river also carries an incredible amount of water. It moves about 13,000 gallons of water per second into the Atlantic Ocean.

2. More Than 1/3 of the Animal Species in The World Live in the Amazon Rainforest:
There are millions of different species of plants and animals in the Amazon rainforest. So many, in fact, that more than 1/3 of the world’s known species live there. This means that the Amazon rainforest is home to over 10 million species. Some of the most incredible animals in the Amazon are the river dolphins, giant otters, and pink river dolphins. The pink river dolphin is a freshwater species of dolphin that’s found only in the Amazon River. It’s one of the most endangered species in the world, with only about 3,000 left in existence. The Amazon rainforest is such an amazing place for animals because there are many different types of ecosystems in the forest. This means that there are many different types of habitats for animals to live in.

3. There Are More Plants in The Amazon: Than All of the World’s Deserts Combined
The Amazon rainforest is the most biodiverse place in the entire world. It’s home to millions of different species of plants and animals. There are so many different types of plants in the Amazon that they total more than all of the world’s deserts combined. The Amazon also has many species of trees that grow to enormous heights. Some of the tallest trees in the world are found in the Amazon. The Itaituba Tree, for example, is about 100 meters tall and grows in the Amazon. Those who want to travel to the Amazon to see the incredible plant life can take the Amazon River Cruise. This is the easiest way to visit the region since you don’t have to plan any other activities.

4. It Produces 50% of the World’s Oxygen:
The Amazon rainforest is one of the most important ecosystems on earth. It’s not only home to millions of different plants and animals, but it also produces 50% of the world’s oxygen. This oxygen is produced thanks to something called the carbon cycle. The carbon cycle works like this: plants take in carbon dioxide and produce oxygen as a byproduct. Animals then breathe in the oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Finally, the plants use the carbon dioxide to create more oxygen. The Amazon rainforest plays an important role in this cycle since it has so many plants. This cycle is extremely important because we need oxygen to survive. Humans die without it. In fact, you can die from lack of oxygen in less than a minute.

5. It Covers a Shifting Area That’s Equivalent to The Size of Spain:
The Amazon rainforest covers an area that’s about the size of Spain. This incredible area is about 4,000 miles long and 2,100 miles wide. Despite this, the size of the Amazon changes every year. The Amazon’s size changes due to various factors. One of the main reasons for the change in size is the amount of rainfall in the region. The amount of rainfall each year directly affects the growth of the Amazon. If there’s a lot of rain, the forest will grow quickly and become bigger. If there’s a drought, the forest will become smaller. The dry season ends in June and the rainy season begins. The rainy season lasts until October and determines how big the Amazon will be.

6. The Rainforest is a Key Player In Climate Regulation:
The Amazon rainforest is one of the most important ecosystems on earth. It not only has millions of different plants and animals, but also plays an important role in climate regulation. The Amazon rainforest is affected by two different types of climates. The first is a humid tropical climate that has lots of rainfall. The second is a humid subtropical climate that has two dry seasons. The tropical climate occurs from October to May and brings lots of rainfall to the forest. The subtropical climate occurs from June to September and doesn’t have as much rain. When the Amazon rainforest receives a lot of rain, it increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. This causes the forest to become a carbon sink. It also causes the forest to release oxygen.

7. It Is home to Many Indigenous Cultures and Tribes:
The Amazon rainforest is home to many different cultures and tribes. Some of the most well-known cultures that live in the Amazon are the Tikuna, Yanomami, and Huitoto. Those who want to visit the Amazon rainforest and experience authentic tribal life will find many options. Many tour operators will take you to tribes that offer a unique cultural experience that’s not offered anywhere else in the world. For those who want to learn more about the tribes that live in the Amazon rainforest, there are many books and documentaries that teach you more about them.

8. Deforestation Continues Despite Efforts To Stop It From Happening:
The Amazon rainforest is one of the most important ecosystems on earth. However, it continues to suffer from deforestation. Deforestation is the process of cutting down trees and plants to make room for farmland. This is done to make money from crops such as soybeans, palm oil, and sugar cane. Deforestation is a serious issue because it leads to many problems, including less oxygen being produced. This is because when a tree is cut down, it takes CO2 out of the air. When the tree dies, it is then decomposed by soil microbes. They consume this CO2, and produce CO. Deforestation also reduces the amount of rainfall in the area. This is because deforestation reduces the amount of moisture in the air.

9. Brazil Owns More Than Half Of The Amazon Rainforest And Has Made Its Protection A Priority:
The Amazon rainforest is located in 10 different countries across South America. Each of these countries is working to protect their section of the rainforest. Brazil owns more than half of the Amazon rainforest and has made its protection a priority. In fact, the Brazilian government has a department dedicated to the protection of the Amazon. While the Brazilian government has done a lot to protect the Amazon, deforestation still continues. This is a serious problem because it has a significant effect on the world. When forests are cut down, they produce less CO2 and less oxygen. They also cause the earth to retain less CO2, which causes global warming. There are many reasons why deforestation continues. Some of the main causes are lack of education, lack of government resources, and lack of money.