Geography & Climate

The Amazon Rainforest spans approximately 5.5 million square kilometers (2.1 million square miles) across nine countries: Brazil (60%), Peru (13%), Colombia (10%), and smaller portions in Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. It represents over half of the planet's remaining rainforests.

The Amazon basin is characterized by its vast lowland plains, with elevations rarely exceeding 200 meters. The region is dominated by the Amazon River and its tributaries, creating an extensive network of waterways. The Andes Mountains to the west feed the river system with water and nutrients.

The Amazon experiences a tropical rainforest climate with high temperatures (25-30°C) and humidity (80-90%) year-round. Annual rainfall ranges from 1,500 to 3,000 mm, with a wet season from December to May. The region has minimal temperature variation, maintaining consistent warmth throughout the year.

The Amazon River is the world's largest river by discharge volume, carrying more water than the next seven largest rivers combined. It stretches over 6,400 km and has over 1,100 tributaries, creating a complex aquatic ecosystem that supports diverse life forms.