Since ancient times, the Nile River, which flows through eastern Africa, was considered the longest in the world. According to the latest data, the Amazon is the longest river in the world..
Origin of name
The river got its name in the 16th century from the Spanish conquistadors, who went down the river to reconnoiter the situation.
If possible, they conquered the tribes that lived on the banks of the river. They failed to cope with one tribe - it was a female tribe. Remembering the ancient legends, when there was matriarchy and women ruled the earth, they decided not to change anything and left the name of the Amazon. From them came the name of the river.
The source of the Amazon
Initially, a stream located in the north of Peru, which flows into small lakes, was considered the source of the river. Where does the left tributary of the Amazon come from? Later, at the intersection with the right tributary, a great river (Amazon) is formed. The extreme point of the beautiful river is the Atlantic Ocean.
How the Amazon became the longest river in the world
That was until the 40s of the 20th century, until a theory appeared at the general discussion that the beginning of the Amazon River should be sought not in the left tributary, but in the right. This was the beginning of research and already in the 70s of the 20th century a publication was published in which it was indicated that the Amazon River originates on a mountain in southern Peru. This made the river much longer, but the issue of leadership in the world was not closed.
Only at the end of the 20th century a special expedition was created, the main task of which was to determine the beginning of the source of the Amazon. They appeared a certain stream, which through three small rivers passes into the right tributary of the beautiful river. And then, at the intersection with the left tributary, the Amazon River forms. Its length has become 7 thousand kilometers (this fact is confirmed by research from space). And the Amazon became 140 kilometers longer than the Nile River, making it the longest river in the entire globe.
Amazon Delta
The Amazon, in contact with the Atlantic Ocean, forms a huge delta in area. The depth of the river here reaches 100 meters and decreases very slowly, going deeper into the continent. This fact makes it possible for ocean liners to enter 1700 kilometers to the port in the city of Manaus. Further, you can also move on water by river transport.
Tributaries of the Amazon
The Amazon has a huge number of tributaries - there are about 200 of them. Together with them, a river basin is formed, which unites countries such as Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Brazil. Within the basin there are also “light lands” - this is a huge forest. Light penetrates little into it due to the density of vegetation, but the flora and fauna are diverse.
Vegetation
Of the most famous plants can be distinguished: lianas and palm trees. Liana creeps up the trees with the help of antennae, when she reaches the tops, sprawls and gives fruit.
Palm trees were developed due to the tropical climate (hot and humid). Together they form an impenetrable jungle.
Fauna of the amazon
The animal world also does not lag behind the plant world. Here live fish that are found only in the Amazon. Moreover, some of them became beautiful aquarium fish when they were caught here. It is also a habitat for blunt sharks, piranhas (there are more than twenty species of them), Amazonian dolphins. The world famous huge snakes are anacondas, also local inhabitants.
Recently, local nature began to suffer, as a person sees in it an opportunity to earn money: they cut down trees, kill animals. From this, flora and fauna perish in devastated places. There are species of plants and animals that have completely disappeared from our planet.
