Amazon River: Quick Facts

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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Did You Know?

The Amazon River flowed in the opposite direction about 130 million years ago.
The Amazon River's discharge exceeds that of the next nine largest rivers.
Up to 20% of all freshwater discharge to the ocean flows through the Amazon River.

Photos and Videos

Aerial view of the wide Amazon River winding through dense green rainforest in Brazil, with clouds scattered above the landscape.

Physical map of northern and central South America highlighting the Andes Mountains along the continent's western edge and the Amazon River basin and drainage network spanning Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and surrounding countries. The map uses color shading to show elevation, marks major rivers, cities, international and political boundaries, and features a small locator map of South America in the corner.

Clouds are reflected in the calm water of the Amazon River, with a grassy embankment and scattered trees along the far shore in South America.

confluence of the Solimões River and the Negro River

Aerial view of the Amazon River winding through dense green rainforest near Manaus, Brazil, with a cloudy sky overhead.

Aerial view of the Amazon River winding through dense green rainforest in South America, with multiple channels and islands visible.

canoe on the Negro River

Traditional wooden house with a thatched roof stands on stilts over the Amazon River, surrounded by lush green vegetation near Iquitos, Loreto, Peru.

Two Indigenous people paddle a small wooden boat on the wide, muddy Amazon River near Manaus, Brazil, under a dramatic cloudy sky with rainforest visible on the distant shore.

Follow streams that flow from the Andes Mountains and merge to form the Amazon River

Compare the expanse of the Amazon Basin with the U.S. state of Texas

Learn how the Andes Mountains block warm moist air, causing heavy rainfall that feeds the Amazon River

Behold the multitude of Amazonian arthropods including spiders, scorpions, beetles, and mantids

Glimpse the Amazon Rainforest's diverse wildlife, from anacondas and sloths to macaws and capybaras

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