14 Facts About The Amazon Rainforest To Help You Defend It

The circulating fact that we would lose 20% of Earth's oxygen if the Amazon rainforest disappeared is a myth. However, the planet would be in serious trouble without tropical forests. There would be less freshwater, more flash floods, and diminished biodiversity. Rainforests, in particular, are vital in determining rainfall patterns over large regions.

The Amazon rainforest of South America is the largest tropical forest. It's also one of the most critical natural habitats on the planet. This article explores the majestic jungle through some fun and not-so-fun facts.

Basic Facts About the Amazon Rainforest

1. The world's largest rainforest

The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical forest. It covers 2,300,000 square miles (6,000,000 square kilometers) of land, about 40% of the entire South American continent. For some more context, the forest is twice the size of India, the largest country in South Asia.

The Amazon isn't just a large area filled with trees and a river; it consists of different ecosystems. The Amazon biome has floodplains, terra firma, black water, bamboo, palm, and white sand forests. It also has plain grasslands, savannahs, and swamp forests. 

The Amazon rainforest has existed for over 65 million years, surviving various global climate events. Its dynamic ecosystems contribute to its biodiversity and resilience⁹. 

2. The world's largest river by volume

The Amazon River, the second-longest river in the world, drains the Amazon basin. It stretches for at least 4,000 miles (6,400 km). The River Nile in Egypt surpasses it in length. 

In terms of flow volume, the Amazon River is the largest in the world. It discharges an estimated 7,400,000 cubic feet (209,000 cubic meters) of freshwater per second into the Atlantic Ocean. 

The intense Amazonian rainfall contributes to the powerful river flow. Living up to its description, the hot, humid forest receives 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3 meters) of rainfall yearly⁸.

The Amazon River and its tributaries serve as the lifeline of the rainforest, providing fresh water and food for wildlife and humans.

3. It sprawls across nine countries.

The Amazon rainforest covers eight countries in South America and one overseas territory. Brazil has the largest portion of the Amazonian forest, about 61%, while French Guiana has the least, with 1.1%. Peru, Bolivia, Suriname, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Ecuador share the remaining portion of the Amazon⁷.

The Amazon rainforest spans different countries, making protecting it somewhat challenging, as conservation policies and efforts differ for each country. For example, while deforestation declined in Venezuela in the last two years, it was up by 40% in Bolivia¹.

However, it also means that the Amazon countries can have a more substantial conservation impact through cooperative efforts.

4. The most biologically diverse ecosystem

The Amazon biome is home to numerous plant and animal species. It has about millions of insect species, 30,000 plant species, 3,000 fish species, 950 bird species, and 350 types of mammals.

Scientists estimate that the Amazon rainforest contains more than 10% of every known species and many more undocumented species⁴. A World Wildlife Fund expedition discovered 381 new species in the Amazon last 2015³.

Unfortunately, deforestation can cause some plants and animals to go extinct before science discovers them.

5. Toughest jungle in the world

The Amazon rainforest is as beautiful as it is dangerous. Multiple sources rate it as one of the most dangerous forests in the world.

From flesh-eating piranhas to venomous snakes, jaguars, poison dart frogs, electric eels, and poisonous plants, the rainforest presents many challenges to explorers. Its often-wet atmospheric conditions, large expanse, and obstructive vines make the forest even more formidable. 

The possibility of contracting malaria, dengue, or yellow fever within a short while in the desert is also high. To make matters worse, if you get injured, poisoned, or sick, it'll be quite difficult for you to get medical help in the Amazon.

6. Home to 40 million people

Despite the dangers lurking in the Amazon basin, 40 million people have made it their home. That includes about 2 million indigenous people across 400 tribes. Some of these tribes are so remote that they're still uncontacted.

According to the World Resources Institute, the indigenous tribes of the Amazon rainforest collectively own more than a quarter of the land. They deeply regard their ancestral lands and have shown themselves to be responsible environmental stewards. Unfortunately, their good work isn't appreciated by all.

For years, key officers of the Brazilian government have tried to pass a bill that would strip indigenous people of their lands. The bill proposes to open indigenous lands to miners and industries without consent from the inhabitants. Thankfully, the bill did not pass.

7. Lost cities that teach sustainability

In 2023, researchers led by Vinícius Peripato discovered between 10,000 and 24,000 ancient earthworks of what they believe were once bustling cities in the Amazon rainforest⁶. 

Ancient Amazonians built remarkably engineered roads to connect these ancient metropolises. Even more remarkable is how they structured most of these ancient Amazonian cities. They farmed in compost gardens, had fisheries, and domesticated forested areas into orchards. 

Sadly, many of those ancient Amazon cities likely fell into ruin due to the violence and disease brought by colonialism. Modern civilization could learn a lot about sustainability from these ancient cities.

8. Critical carbon sink

The Amazon forest provides various ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration. The forest stores 123 billion tons of carbon dioxide in its trees and soil, making it an essential ally in the fight against climate change.

However, scientists believe that the Amazon is at the tipping point of becoming a carbon source. The point of no return could happen when 20-25% deforestation occurs¹¹.

Now for the not-so-fun facts

9. The Amazon rainforest is shrinking.

Besides natural threats like forest fires and floods, human activities are the major threat to rainforests. Forest clearing for cattle ranching, soybean cultivation, and oil palm plantations are the top reasons for deforestation in the Amazon. The Western Amazon has fossil fuel deposits, attracting ruthless exploitation.

The Amazon rainforest has shrunk by almost 18%, and an additional 17% is severely degraded. The rate of forest destruction differs for each country, but the drivers cut across borders—legal and illegal logging, industrial agriculture, oil drilling, and gold mining. 

While deforestation rates were recently at their highest in 2022, causing a loss of more than 35,000 square kilometers, things are looking up as deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon reduced by 50% in the first ten months of 2023².

10. The Amazon River is in danger.

Gold mining and agriculture release chemical pollutants in the form of effluents and runoffs into the Amazon River. The most discussed pollutant is mercury waste from mining.

These pollutants threaten the survival of marine animals, the food supply, and human health. They also affect the economic standing of fishing communities.

Water pollution is a serious environmental issue. As pollutants spread, they eventually reach protected areas. Pollution originating in one region could affect all nine Amazon countries.

11. Amazon is experiencing a climate crisis.

The Amazon basin is already experiencing the adverse effects of climate change. In 2023, the area experienced a record drought and warmth. Water levels at certain parts of the Amazon River reached their lowest since 1902⁵. Researchers have also observed a lengthening dry season.

Although indigenous people have the lowest carbon footprint, they suffer the most from the climate crisis in the Amazon. 

They'll have to deal with more droughts, floods, and wildfires. Forest loss will limit their access to fresh water, medicinal wild plants, and other forest resources. Additionally, climate change disrupts subsistence agriculture, making it challenging for locals to grow enough food.

12. Up to 47% of the Amazon Rainforest is at risk of collapse.

Central and remote parts of the Amazon rainforest face increased stress from climate change, forest fires, and deforestation. These are risk factors for the collapse of forest systems.

In 2024, researchers analyzed forest collapse risk factors. They concluded that unless something changes, 10% to 47% of the Amazon rainforest could collapse by 2050¹⁰.

The researchers also warned that the chances of recovering from such destruction are low.  Many species in the Amazon are endemic and cannot survive outside their natural habitats; once they're extinct in the Amazon, they're gone forever.

13. Forests thrive under indigenous care.

Studies have proven that forested areas managed by the indigenous people are in much better shape than those under government care. Indigenous forests sequester more carbon and show more resilience.

Unfortunately, land grabbers violate the rights of indigenous people without any consequences. They encroach on indigenous territories, forcing the natives out. Natives who try to fight back are often met with violence, sometimes resulting in death. Since 2009, over 300 indigenous land defenders have been killed by rainforest mafias.

14. Decisive action against Amazon's destruction

The situation may be dire, but hope isn't lost. Individuals, local organizations, governments, and international bodies are doing their part to protect the Amazon. 

Organizations like Vitória Amazônica Foundation, Amazon Conservation Association, Amazon Watch, etc., are in charge of securing protected areas. Most conservation organizations partner with Indigenous communities to exchange knowledge on forest ecology, sustainable agriculture, and climate technology. 

In May 2023, the European Union adopted the Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 policy to help protect forests like the Amazon. The policy requires traders to prove that their products did not originate from land deforested after 2020.

Conclusion

The fun facts we've shared about the Amazon rainforest remind us how essential rainforests are and how forest destruction is bad for everyone.

You can join in protecting rainforests by donating to or volunteering with forest conservation organizations. You can also boycott products that originate from deforested or degraded areas. Sustainability seals like FSC, Rainforest Alliance, and PEFC assure you that products are from responsibly managed forests.