The Amazon River is located in South America and is the second-largest river (the largest is the Nile). It spans approximately 4200 miles contained in a drainage basin of approximately 2,720,000 square miles and is responsible for roughly 1/5 of the world’s river flow.
It contains over 1100 tributaries which are small arms that branch out of the main river. A few of the most famous ones are:
Branco, Casiquiare Canal, Caqueta River, Huallaga, Putumayo, Javary, Jurua, Madeira, Maranon, Morona, Nanay, Napo, Negro, Pastaza, Purus, Tambo, Tapajos, Tigre, Tocantins, Trombetas, Ucayali, Xingu, Yapura
While the Amazon river can be an extremely dangerous place, over the past few decades it has become a popular tourist spot. Many people take Amazon River Cruises or Tours and a lot of people even vacation there for several days. The beauty of the basin is unmatched and you won’t see anything like it on the planet!
The width of the Amazon can vary between 1.6 and 10 kms (0.99 and 6.2 mi) at low stage, but grows throughout the rainy time of year to 48 kms (30 mi) or more. The river enters the Atlantic Ocean in a wide estuary approximately 240 kilometres (150 mi) wide. The region of the main stem is 80 kilometres (50 mi). Due to its vast scale, it is usually referred to as the River Sea. At no point is the Amazon intersected by bridges. This may not be due to its massive dimensions; the truth is, for much of its distance, the Amazon’s thickness is well within the ability of modern engineers to bridge. However, the majority of the water flows through the tropical rainforest, where there are a small number of roads or towns, limiting the need for crossings.
This region of the water has long been a popular place for explorers and adventurous tourists. Everyone from die-hard wilderness experts to families looking for an exciting vacation spot have come here to have the experience of a lifetime.
The safest and best way to see the Amazon is by embarking on an Amazon River Cruise. Not only is this the cheapest way to experience the river but it’s also the safest. Thousands of species inhabit the river’s basin and having an experienced guide can make a HUGE difference.
It’s not recommended that you travel these waters alone unless you are an experienced outdoorsman and have the proper equipment like mosquito nets & camping tents. For more on what an cruise will entail, visit our page on Amazon River Cruises.
The Amazon River release up to 300,000 cubic meters of water per second into the Atlantic Ocean during the rainy season and it’s responsible for 20 percent of the Earth’s fresh water that is released into an ocean.
Watch the video below for some great footage of the Amazon from the BBC.
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