Ecosystems · South America

Amazon Basin

The largest tropical rainforest on Earth, laced with rivers.

The Amazon Basin holds the largest tropical rainforest in the world and the greatest river system by volume of water. It spans several countries and is home to an extraordinary share of the planet's known species.

Forest and river are one system, flooding and draining with the seasons.

The Landscape

Lowland rainforest stretches over a vast plain crossed by thousands of rivers. In the rainy season huge areas flood, creating seasonally flooded forest where fish swim among the treetops.

Who Lives Here

Jaguars, Giant Otters and Amazon River Dolphins live along the waterways, Harpy Eagles and Scarlet Macaws in the forest, and Hoatzins, sloths and poison dart frogs share the canopy and understory. Insects number in the millions of species.

Through The Year

The year is divided into high water and low water more than into hot and cold. High water brings fish into the forest, and low water exposes beaches and concentrates wildlife along channels.

Pressures And Care

Deforestation for cattle and crops, fire, illegal mining, dams and a changing climate threaten the forest. Indigenous peoples' lands and protected areas play a major role in keeping it intact.

Visiting Well

Travel with local guides and communities, choose operators who support conservation, and do not buy wildlife products.

Look for

Amazon River Dolphin
Jaguar
Harpy Eagle
Scarlet Macaw
Giant Otter

Often a good time to visit: June, September. Conditions vary from year to year and place to place.

Related habitats

Woodland · Freshwater

More in South America

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