The Mighty Amazon River: A Lifeline of Biodiversity
The Mighty Amazon River: A Lifeline of Biodiversity
The Amazon River, often called the "River Sea," is a colossal natural wonder that carves its way through the heart of South America. Flowing approximately 6,400 to 6,992 kilometers (4,000 to 4,345 miles), it is widely considered the second-longest river in the world, just slightly shorter than the Nile. However, when it comes to volume, the Amazon reigns supreme, discharging more water than the next seven largest rivers combined. Its immense flow is so powerful that it actually dilutes the salinity of the Atlantic Ocean hundreds of miles offshore.
Journey from the Andes to the Atlantic
The Amazon's journey begins high in the Andes Mountains of Peru, where tiny glacial streams merge to form its headwaters. From there, it gathers strength and size as it travels eastward, collecting water from thousands of tributaries across Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, and eventually emptying into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Brazil. The basin it drains, known as the Amazon Basin, is the largest drainage basin in the world, covering an area roughly the size of the continental United States. This vast region is home to the Amazon rainforest, the largest tropical rainforest on Earth.
An Ecosystem Teeming with Life
- Tributaries:
- Smaller rivers or streams that flow into a larger river.
- Headwaters:
- The source or beginning of a river or stream, usually in the mountains.
- Biodiversity:
- The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
- Ecosystem:
- A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
- Deforestation:
- The clearing of forests for other land use, often leading to environmental damage.
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- 1What is the approximate length of the Amazon River, and how does it compare to the Nile?
- 2In terms of water volume, how does the Amazon River compare to other rivers?
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About this report passage for Middle School
“The Mighty Amazon River: A Lifeline of Biodiversity” is a report reading passage about Amazon River, written for Middle School. It takes about 3 minutes to read (402 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.