Amazing Facts About the  Amazon Forest

By Sara Fathima

June 23, 2022

What’s in a Name?

The Amazon region was named after the female warriors in Greek mythology by Francisco de Orellana. Legend has it that Orellana and his men were fiercely attacked by Pira-Tupaya tribe women, inspiring the name. 

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

The Dark Forest

The Amazon rainforest’s floor is in a permanent state of darkness owing to  its thick canopy of trees. What’s more?  It takes roughly 10 minutes for the  rainwater to reach the ground. 

Image source: Pexels

Deadly Jaws

The Amazon is home to some of the most menacing creatures, such as the Paiche – a meat-eating fish that can grow up to 3 metres long. It chomps on the prey using the teeth on its palate and tongue.  

Image source: Pixabay

Verdant Home to Many 

The Amazon Rainforest houses Jaguars, Pink River Dolphins, Sloths, Spider Monkeys, Poison Dart Frogs, at least 370 types of reptiles, and more. Around 500 Amerindian tribes live here and about 50 of these tribes have no contact with the outside world. 

Image source: Pixabay

Sustenance From the Sahara

The strong winds that sweep across the Sahara Desert, blow Phosphorus dust continuously over the Atlantic Ocean, transporting it to the Amazon floor. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient  and fertiliser that helps the Amazon Rainforest flourish.

Image source:  Pixabay

Nourishes Nations

The Amazon contains more than 3,000 types of fruit-bearing trees and 80% of the food products of the world trace their origins  to this region. More than 25% of western pharmaceutical medicines are made  from the ingredients found here.

Image source: Pixabay

The River Changed Course

About 145 million years ago, the Amazon River flowed toward the Pacific Ocean – the opposite direction it flows today. The rise  of the Andes Mountains forced the river to change course and flow into the Atlantic Ocean. 

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

90% Is Still a Mystery 

A whopping 90% of the plants in the Amazon Rainforest remain undiscovered by scientists. These species are often used by the natives. With climate change and deforestation  posing a grave threat to the Amazon, the future looks bleak.

Image source: pxhere