Amazon River, Brazil

An extremely long and beautiful river, the Amazon River is situated in the northern part of Brazil. It is considered to be one of the longest rivers in the world and the largest by water volume.

The river is named after the Amazons, legendary female warriors, who early European explorers believed to inhabit the region. Determining the direct source of the Amazon River is difficult, as it begins with several small creeks. The confluence of three Peruvian rivers—the Mantaro, the Marañón, and the Apurímac—is considered the start of the Amazon River.

The Amazon River basin is the largest on the planet, with numerous small and large tributaries joining the river along its course from the high Andes of Peru. The river flows through the tropical forests of the Amazon region, which face ecological challenges such as logging and deforestation. These activities are among the most significant threats to the environment.

One of the challenges related to the river is the shortage of bridges along its course, caused by its considerable width. Known as “The Meeting of Waters”, the Amazon River provides water to a vast residential area in the northern and northeastern parts of Brazil.

Several large cities are located on the banks of the river, with Manaus being the largest. These cities rely heavily on the river for transportation, commerce, and water supply.