Amazon River: History, Origin, Characteristics and more ▷➡️ Postposmo

El Amazon River, is the main one of all, the one with the largest hydrographic basin, the widest, longest and mightiest. It has variable depth and is also awarded a fifth of the river flow of Planet Earth. Discover here everything that surrounds this amazing river in South America.

Amazon River

The imposing, extraordinary and even amazing Amazon River, has more than 1.000 tributary rivers that pour their waters to feed its magnificence. During its course, the river system is divided into five identified sections, which are:

Ucayali
Cashew
Amazon
solimões
Amazon

The Amazon River runs through the countries of Peru, Colombia and Brazil, belonging to South America. Its flow exceeds 219.000 cubic meters of water per second. It has the domain of conducting the fifth part of the fresh river water of the globe.

The Hydrographic Basin that it possesses covers the largest area of the North territory of the South American Continent. In this sense, it is the first to favor before the many Environmental problems man-made. Therefore, its potential impact and incidence is global.

Researchers have provided data that establishes that the power of the Amazon River has the grace to deliver to the atmosphere. Through the process of evapotranspiration, an estimated seven trillion tons of water over the course of a year.

Being this benefit the one that allows you to provide, conserve or sustain a climate with a humid characteristic and balanced rain. Which in turn makes it easier to give the necessary protection to the jungle so that fires do not start. After the continuous act of tempering or cooling the environment, in which the air has a great influence.

It empties its waters into the Atlantic Ocean. Its width is subject to the magnitude experienced by the growing ones. Coming to flood areas with a range on both sides that ranges between 20 and 50 kilometers. Several islands are located along its route and there are also steep slopes. Thus allowing it to discharge approximately one billion metric tons of sediment annually.

Toponymy of the Amazon River

According to the Royal Spanish Academy of Language, referring to its linguistic approach, this word from the Amazon River means:

“Branch of onomastics that studies the origin of proper place names, as well as the meaning of their etyms”.

From which etymon, also gives the meaning of:

“Root or word from which another comes.”

Bearing then, that the toponymy, implies, where the name assigned to a place comes from. In which, history tells that the Spaniard Francisco de Orellana, is the one who baptizes with this name the river that has the grace of being the one with the highest flow rate on the globe.

In 1541, after being the first European to fully navigate it to its mouth, he was impressed because this river simply had the virtue of crossing America from one side to the other. Francisco de Orellana when he returns to Spain after his navigation, recounts everything that happened to them and what they saw.

He begins by describing the reason that caused him to lose an eye. He also talks about the attack on the brigantines, which are ships that have the characteristics of two masts and a square or round sail. In which such an attack was carried out by numerous women of totally warrior behavior.

With absolute mastery of their bows and arrows. Where because of this attack of women, is that through her narration, she makes the decision to call it River of the Amazons. In honor of Homer's own stories in which the mythical women warriors are described who come to fight having Heracles as a rival, as well as Achilles. Until finally, it had as its definitive name Amazon River.

Length and Mouth of the Amazon River

Establishing its true length was for a long time a subject of total controversy, because initially the longest datum was held by the Nile River. But this is not the case, the Nile River has a length of 6.853 kilometers, while that the Amazon River has a length of 7.062 kilometers, that is, a difference of 209 kilometers.

Which after numerous studies and explorations, it is finally established in 2010, that the Amazon River, is the longest in the world. With a width that reaches up to 50 kilometers in specific sections that will depend on the floods that arise. Apart from being the one with the highest flow, having a fifth of the fresh water in a liquid state on Planet Earth.

The Amazon River has its mouth in the Atlantic Ocean, specifically in the Atlantic Coast of Brazil. After it reaches to cross South America in a West-East direction. Having that it covers an estuary, which corresponds to the name given to it when a river flows into the sea, of considerable size, approximately 240 kilometers long.

Location of the Amazon River

The Amazon River has its source in the Quebrada Apacheta, located on the slopes of the Nevado Quehuisha, in the Department of Arequipa in the country of Peru. Exactly 5.150 meters above sea level. Until it reaches its mouth, in the Atlantic Ocean, after traveling its 7.062 kilometers in length, after starting its journey in Peru and passing through Colombia and Brazil.

Watershed

This great river, cataloged as the one with the highest flow in the world, as well as the longest, has a hydrographic basin that covers 7,05 million square kilometers. Its maximum recorded depth is 100 meters.

On the other hand, the extension of the Hydrographic Basin of the Amazon River, takes, includes or concentrates a total of nine nations of South America, which are:

Venezuela
Colombia
Brazil
Guyana
Suriname
French Guiana
Peru
Ecuador
Bolivia

History and Origin of the Amazon River

Among the latests Moravia's compositions Characteristics of the human being, its power of reasoning and research is par excellence, which is why there is no doubt that history, origin. As well as the discovery of what is now known as the Amazon River, it has been the subject of conversations, disputes, studies and explorations for many years.

It is known that in the year 1540, Gonzalo Pizarro Alonso, conqueror of Spanish nationality and younger brother on his father's side of the also conqueror Francisco Pizarro. Who is credited with being one of the main members and actor of the Conquest of Peru. Equally that of the actions taken from the civil wars by between the conquerors. He leaves for Quito, which today is the capital of Ecuador.

Christmas of the year 1541 arrives and Gonzalo Pizarro Alonso locates the first native population of Los Canelos, being from this place, that the Country of Cinnamon becomes manifest. Being in that place, Gonzalo Pizarro gives Francisco de Orellana the mandate to go with 50 companions to the Río de la Canela, which is currently known as Río Napo.

By the year 1542, Francisco de Orellana was sailing the waters of the Rio Grande de las Amazonas. In this area they decide to build a boat that would be larger, to which they give the name of Victoria. They continue their journey and on April 24, 1542 they are greeted with aggression by the indigenous inhabitants of the Machifaro people of Brazil.

By May 23, they cross the Purús River and after a few days they reach the mouth of the Negro River. After problems, on August 26 of the same year, 1542, they entered the North Sea.

End of the voyage

The North Sea is what is now known as the Atlantic Ocean. With all this journey, they came to explore from birth what they called the Amazon of the Peruvian Andes. But this qualification is recognized only in the Brazilian nation, when it has its confluence with the Negro River. That corresponds to the initial section of the territory of Brazil that has the name of Solimões.

For its part, this adjective has formed topics of total and absolute controversy, because there are those who establish that the Amazon River has its source in Peru, while others assert that its source belongs to Brazil.

Its name is attributed to Francisco de Orellana, who after the story of his journey in Spain, gives it the name of the Amazon River, after associating what he experienced with Homer's own stories. He would later be identified only as Amazon River.

Source of the Amazon River

Studies and investigations carried out, contributed in 1996, that a "glacial league" in the Nevado Mismi, which is a mountain of volcanic origin of 5.822 meters above sea level. Found in the Cordillera de Los Andes, which belongs to the Department of Arequipa in Peru. That it be taken as the oldest source of the Amazon River.

A "glacial tongue" corresponds to the mass of the glacier, that is, of the ice, which runs its descent down the mountain after the help of the action of gravity. This movement, which is carried out abruptly, induces an excavation in the rock. In this sense, the “glacial tongue” will have to enter and insert itself into the ground, which will produce a “U”-shaped valley when it retreats.

This investigation had its verification in 2001 and repeated confirmation in 2007 by experts in the area.

What happens to the waters of its source?

The waters coming from its source, that is, from the Nevado Mismi, have the following route:

They take a course directed towards the two Quebradas Carhuasanta and Apacheta.
Next, the Lloqueta River forms, which becomes the Hornillos River.
Then these waters will flow with an outlet in the Apurimac River.
The Apurimac River is characterized by being a tributary of the Ucayali River, which has the peculiarity of being one of the main rivers of the Peruvian nation.
For its part, the Ucayalí River will have its confluence or union with the Marañón River, also of the Peruvian nation, which will give rise to the powerful and incomparable Amazon River.

Main Tributaries of the Amazon River

The waters, which is an essential component of the environmental elements, because it is the vital source for the life of everything that makes up the Planet. In which the rivers represent an essential component in the process of the Hydrological Cycle and environmental balance. It is still a study to be carried out in a thorough, precise and detailed manner.

That is why the Amazon River, has been for a long time the protagonist of numerous studies and explorations, until giving it the well-deserved mention that accompanies it today. When it is positioned as the river that offers the most contribution, after delivering a fifth of the fresh water that is needed for the continuity of life.

Their investigations establish that during its course it has the contribution of more than 1.000 tributaries, with which it reaches the position of the largest river. Apart from being the longest of all the rivers that make up the globe. Having among the main rivers, from the left and right margin, the following:

Left margin

On the left bank, the following rivers are the main tributaries:

Putumayo: It has its birth in the Nudo de los Pastos, in Colombia, determining or specifying in turn, during its journey, the border between the countries of Colombia, Peru and Ecuador. Its mouth is in the Solimões River, Amazon River in Brazil. Due to its depth, it is navigable in practically its entire route. Its main tributaries are the Guamúez, San Miguel and Igara Paraná Rivers.

Napo: This river has its source in Ecuador. It has two tributaries of great importance, which are the Cararay River on the right bank and the Aguarico River on the right bank. Its flow is so prominent that it has the peculiarity of being navigable due to the extension that makes up the territory of Peru. Its growth begins in February and ends in August.

Nanay: It is a river in Peru. It has its source in the Pintuyacu River and is located between the Tigre and Napo rivers on the left bank of the Amazon River. It integrates one of the three rivers that border what is called the jungle city of Iquitos, transforming it into an island. The Momón River flows into it, with the Pintuyacu River as its main tributary, from which it in turn receives the waters of the Chambira River.

Right margin

On the right bank, the following rivers are the main tributaries:

Yavari: It has the peculiarity of specifying the border during its course between the countries of Peru and Brazil, in a natural way. It has its source in Peru, in the Sierra del Divisor, near the tributaries of the Ipixuma River and flows into Brazil, in the Amazon River - Solimões River.

Yurua: It has its source in Peru, southeast of Puerto Portillo, on the heights of the Ucayali River. With its length of 3.350 kilometers, it is among the 30 longest rivers in the world. It flows through the Amazonas and Acre states of Brazil. Its mouth is in the Solimões River (Amazonas). Its tributaries are: the Ipixuma River on the left bank and the Gregorio, Tarauacá, Xeruá, Chamorro Gueré and Andurá Rivers on the right bank. It delimits the border between Peru and Brazil.

Purus: It also has the power to serve as a natural limit, establishing a border between Peru and Brazil, in a short section. Its source is in the Sierra Contamana (Fitzcarrald Arch), at the southern end of the Ucayali River. It is the last great tributary of the right bank of the Solimões River.

Mother of God: This river has the powerful function of collecting all the waters found in the Andes and Central regions, until it flows into the Amazon River. It crosses through its channel the countries of Peru and Bolivia. Its source is in the Cordillera de Vilcanota, a mountain range located in the southeast of Peru.

Amazon River Climate

Regarding the weather, the Amazon River, has high rainfall, so it is highly rainy. Besides, it has its differences, where there can be months of total drought or without rain. The months of frequent precipitation are from May to December.

Generally the weather is:

Humid tropical, tropical jungle, rainy or equatorial equatorial, which shows an average annual temperature of around 26°C. Its Precipitations have a variant modification between the ranges of 2.500 and 3.500 millimeters. Humidity describes a value that fluctuates around 83%.
Warm, in which there is seasonal precipitation and as a result of this there is continuous humidity in the environment. The reason for this climate is due to its proximity to the equatorial zone. Presenting equality in the climatic elements that occurred in the tropical forest.
The temperature along the Amazon River is completely variable, since it depends on the height and area. Registering areas where it easily has about 27 ° C, as is the one that occurs in the "river delta". While in other areas it can have 40°C, like the one that occurs in the “Western Amazon”.

Flora and Fauna of the Amazon River

The difference in height experienced by the Amazon River throughout its course is what makes possible the extensive and varied Characteristics of biodiversity throughout its ecosystem. Where in turn, it has the relevance of having endemic or own species not present in other regions.

Experts through their studies and research have established that along the Amazon there are around 400.000 million trees. Taking into account that its biodiversity with respect to the globe represents 10%. In this sense, there is the following relevant flora and fauna:

Flora

It is to be noted that the Amazon River It is surrounded by extensive vegetation, in which each space keeps a secret, a message and perhaps even a story. In this place the fascination and charm are present and it is that to delight you have more than 60.000 species of plants. Among which you have:

Ornamental, with flowers and beautiful leaves that are the adornment and the showiness that adorns such a majestic river.
Wide variety of medicinal plants, which offer help against health ailments.
Aquatic plants.
Great diversity of exotic woods.
Trees of significant relevance and for other height, among others.

That is why it is essential to establish a categorization of the vegetation, according to the present, then having the following:

Mainland: This vegetation is the one that is located in the higher altitude areas and they are, moreover, those that are not affected by floods, every time a flood occurs. Its presence is what is visualized through the leafy trees, where the height is truly appreciable. Examples of this vegetation are the Pará Chestnut and Palm Trees.
Swamp: The swamp vegetation is the one that can be seen close to the contact with the water (river), where it is common for it to be wet, as well as flooded by floods or constant rains. Examples of these are mosses, shrubs, vines, among others.
Valley: This vegetation is the one that experiences frequent or regular flooding, that is, it presents a mixture of the mainland vegetation, in the area that is a little higher. While in the lower area, it presents the swamp.

Plant species

Among the most outstanding plant species are the following:

Orchids, with the presence of more than 20.000 species.
Canangucha, is the palm that can be seen on the river bank.
Bromeliad, with its more than 2.000 species, can be seen in various colors such as red, purple, orange and blue. It is normal to see them both on the ground and in the trees.
Epiphyte, is the one that is displayed on the trunks, branches or leaves.
Mushrooms are constantly displayed due to humidity, having a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Likewise, the place where they settle is inconstant.
Amazon Victoria or Victoria Regia, is an aquatic flower (float), which represents the vegetation of the Amazon River. Its leaves have a circular shape, with a flower that opens only at night, with an amazing diameter of 40 centimeters. The leaf of this aquatic plant is the largest in the world, and can reach a diameter of 2 meters.
White and Red Cedars.
Chestnut from Para.
Mahogany.
Angelim Pedra.
Heveas, among others.

Fauna

Regarding the fauna, it is impressive to discover that the Amazon River Along with its extensive vegetation, it is the habitat of millions of animal species. Where its variety includes fish, birds, reptiles and mammals, in which to the surprise of many, it also houses a number of species that have not yet been studied and classified, being unknown to humanity. Among its extensive diversity, the following stand out:

Fishes: Of these animals it is usual to find the piranha, the tremor (electric eel), the ray, the catfish, the sapoara, guabina, among others.
Birds: Of the bird species, 20% of those existing on Planet Earth are found in the Amazon. Among the most outstanding are the macaws, the eagle, the toucan, woodpecker, sparrowhawk, paují, among others.
Reptiles: Of this species of animals, the famous anaconda, both terrestrial and aquatic turtles, tragavenado snakes, mapanare and cuaima are easily found. As well as the common crocodile, slime crocodile, morrocoy, Orinoco alligator, among others.
Mammals: Of this species, the presence of various kinds of monkeys such as the howler, howler, titi and white-faced monkeys stand out. Likewise, there is the tapir, the palmero bear, puma, fox, jaguar, pink dolphin, the Amazonian squirrel, among others.
endemic species: Of these, the green anaconda, the black caiman, the pygmy marmoset monkey, the hyacinth macaw, the pink dolphin, the giant armadillo, the giant river otter, the South American tapir, the squirrel monkey, the South American river turtle, among others, stand out.

Amazon soil

In general, the soil of the Amazon is specified for being poorly fertile and also sandy. All this is due to the fact that it presents a deficit in relation to the nutrients of phosphate, potash and nitrogen. Without leaving aside, it is characterized by containing a high concentration of acidity.

There is a relative fertility in the areas that are covered by basaltic rocks, where the soils are reddish in color, which are normally identified with the name "terra roxa". There are also the so-called "terra preta dos Indios", which means "black land of the Indians". Which is found in the higher elevation areas, where it was formerly the area where they were established.

On the other hand, there are the areas called “várzea forest” or “flooded várzea”. This soil is the one existing in the flood plains, just as it is the soil located along the rivers that have white waters. Which have the peculiarity of being rich in mineral sediments, which makes them highly fertile for cultivation.

Characteristics of the Amazon River

Among its main features are the following:

Its discovery is due to the Spanish explorer Francisco de Orellana, in the year 1541.
Its length from its source to its mouth is 7.062 kilometers.
It has more than 1.000 tributaries that feed the flow.
An amount greater than the 25 tributaries that supply the Amazon River, has a length greater than 1.000 kilometers.
Its hydrographic basin covers 7,05 million square kilometers.
It is the largest tropical forest on the globe.

It is the longest and widest in the world. In addition to providing the highest flow.
Its basin covers 40% of the South American territory.
It contributes a fifth of the river flow of Planet Earth.
The Amazon River has sections that people can cross on foot.
Its flow exceeds 219.000 cubic meters of water per second.
It is capable of reaching, in various sections, a width of 50 kilometers that will depend on the intensity of the floods.
Of the total registered species of birds or Types of birds, of the globe, 20% is found in the Amazon.
It houses more than 60.000 species of plants.
The largest snakes in the world live in the Amazon River, which are the anacondas.
More than 3.000 known species of fish inhabit its waters, in which the piranha is the most representative or significant.

Other Important Features

The following are also classified as relevant characteristics to be described, which are:

Its hydrographic basin covers the vast area of nine nations, which are: Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia.
It crosses from side to side the countries of Peru, Colombia and Brazil, until its waters flow into the Atlantic Ocean.
Its minimum recorded depth is 20 meters, while the maximum reached or recorded is 100 meters.
It has a single bridge, inaugurated on October 24, 2011, exactly over the Negro River, near Manaus, Brazil.
In Brazil, at Amazon River it is identified by the name of Solimões, while for those who speak the Spanish language they simply recognize it as Amazonas.
Its temperature varies according to the area, having zones with just 26°C, while in others it can register a value of 40°C.
When the Amazon River empties into the Atlantic Ocean, it does so in an estuary that covers 240 kilometers in width.
The brown color that can be seen in its waters is due to the large amount of sediment that it transports along its path.

Importance of the Amazon River

The importance of Amazon River it is related, merged or associated with the generating effect it has on the ecosystem and biodiversity. In which this forms a great power, being the largest tropical forest on the globe. Having on this the responsibility of providing oxygen to the atmosphere for being the main and vital creator of this.

By supplying the Atlantic Ocean with a flow that exceeds 219.000 cubic meters of water per second, it becomes the largest reserve of fresh water that humanity has for its subsistence. In which the total represents a fifth of the river flow of Planet Earth, which is what all the inhabitants that make it up have for their use, from plants, animals, to people.

For the environment, it is a totally invaluable key piece, because it provides the vital liquid and oxygen. As through its forest, it presents the forest resources with which human beings can satisfy their requirements. Having that they can be of direct incidence, as well as indirect. Examples make it up, the extraction of food, the use of wood, among others.

Hamza River, the River that Flows Under the Amazon

The Amazon River is amazingly accompanied underground by this river called Hamza. That it also has its source in the Cordillera de los Andes Peruanos and that it is also presumed that it runs the same route with the same mouth.

For what would then become the longest underground river in the world. Although the qualification of river, continues to be a subject under study and great controversy among scientists who handle the data and research in this regard. Because they assert that there is no certainty that the mass of water studied really has the movement of a river.

On the other hand, this river was discovered after some drilling carried out by the Petrobras company between the 1970s and 1980s, which today is inactive. However, currently making use of the various drillings carried out by some towns belonging to the Department of Cuzco. They take these waters with the objective or purpose of making wells, as well as providing water to crops through irrigation.