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Why the Amazon
rain forest is special
The Amazon rain forest is immense (it's larger than Europe). The 6280 kilometer (3900 mile) long Amazon River
is fed by a thousand rivers - some over 1600 kilometers (1000 miles) long.
Geography
 Broadly defined,
the Amazon Rain forest extends into nine South American countries.
Nearly two-thirds lies in Brazil. Peru is the runner-up.
Amazon rain forest
is vital to life around
the world
The Amazon Rain Forest produces 20% of the earth's oxygen (and is the source of 20% of our planet's fresh water).
A
large number of medicines we take for granted come from Amazon plants. And,
because so many of the plant species have not yet been analyzed, we should
see new drug discoveries.
Will the
Amazon rain forest
survive?
About
14% of the world's land was once rain forest. Today it is down to 6%. Greenpeace, an environmental organization, warns that if deforestation continues at the present clip, the
Amazon Rain Forest will be history in 80 years. Some scientists predict an even
earlier demise.
Biologically rich
environment
More than a million colorful plant, animal and insect species inhabit
the Amazon Rain Forest.
Amazon Rain Forest -
getting there and around
The
Amazon's two major gateway airports are in Manaus (Brazil) and
Iquitos (Peru).
Once
you are in the Amazon, your road trips will be severely limited because the jungle is thick and dissected by numerous snaking rivers. Watercraft and occasionally small airplanes are the
most effective means of transportation.
Amazon Rain Forest -
tips and insights
Although "cruising
down the Amazon" is a popular childhood dream, in reality the view from the deck of a passenger ship soon
becomes monotonous. You get a bored dčjá vu feeling as the river and its banks remain virtually unchanged
for days on end. And, the dense riverside greenery prevents you from seeing the
wildlife.
The
worthwhile cruises explore the Amazon tributaries and offer interesting land excursions.
Alternatively, stay in one of the lodges along the small Amazon tributary streams.
They range in quality from budget to luxury. Use the lodge as a base to explore nature up close along jungle trails
and narrow waterways.
Although
the Amazon rain forest look like other rain forests to the amateur eye, nearly all
its plants and animals are unique.
The
Amazon ground must be nutrient rich because it fosters profuse plant growth. Right?
Wrong. The soil is nutrient poor. The rain forest survives because it quickly
recycles its limited nutrient sources.
The
Amazon also rapidly recycles it water. When it rains, the trees absorb the water, then
let it evaporate, which creates clouds, which generate rain. Half that rain falls on the rain forest. The water shortcoming is made up by
westbound clouds from the
Atlantic Ocean.
Average
annual rainfall approaches 3 meters (10 feet). Some areas can experience twice that amount.
High trees create what is called the
canopy, a dense umbrella of leaves. Little reaches the ground plants. To survive, they have
developed broad leaves to capture as many defused sun rays as possible.
View my other top 100
Wonders of the World
 
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