Features and characteristics of the longest river in the world - the Amazon. Amazon River: width, length, description and photo

For some reason, I used to think that the AMAZONS lived somewhere on the banks of the Amazon River, ran there in the jungle and defeated everyone. Of course, I didn’t think then where they came from there in principle and why it was on the shores of the AMAZON. Let's try to reveal this topic in more detail if someone is not yet in the know ...

For many centuries, the legends of the Amazon women have been of concern to educated people, both men and women. Over time, these legends were filled with all sorts of fiction, were greatly embellished, and the Amazons became the heroines of many artistic and literary works including fantastic ones. For women, this is a symbol - a symbol of female independence, a role model, sometimes literally, and for men - a model of beauty and attractiveness.

For the first time, information about female warriors, later called Amazons, appeared in ancient Greek (Hellenic) historians. Apparently, the emerging ancient world, created and expanded by the ancient Greeks, first came into contact, and then collided with the outgoing world of matriarchy, where women ruled. And this world struck the ancient Greeks so much that it was reflected in their mythology, legends and tales.

Franz von Stuck. Amazon and Centaur. 1901

According to one version, "Amazon" comes from the Iranian word "ha-mazan" - a female warrior. And according to another, the word “Amazon” comes from the words “a” and “mazon”, which means “without a breast”, it seems to come from the name of the custom to cauterize the right breast at an early age and thereby stop its development, so that it would be more convenient to pull the bowstring , master weapons ... There are many other options for the origin of the word "Amazons". For example, "a masso" (from "masso" - touch, touch) could mean "not touching" (to men). By the way, the word “maza” - “moon” has been preserved in the North Caucasian languages, which may be an echo of that distant time, when the inhabitants of this region deified the Moon - the goddess of hunting, corresponding to the Greek Artemis.

Back in 1928, Soviet scientists made a sensational discovery during excavations in the town of Zemo Akhvala on the Black Sea coast, that is, in the area of ​​​​the alleged settlement of the Amazons. They unearthed a prehistoric burial in which the “prince” was buried in full armor and fully armed; there was also a double axe. However, a detailed study of the skeleton showed that it was ... the remains of a woman. Who was she? Queen of the Amazons?

In 1971, this time in Ukraine, the burial of a woman buried with royal honors was found. Next to her lay the skeleton of a girl, just as luxuriously decorated. Together with them, weapons and golden treasures were placed in the grave, as well as two men who died, as scientists found out, "an unnatural death."

Perhaps the queen of the Amazons lay here with the slaves killed in her honor? In 1993-1997, during excavations near the town of Pokrovka in Kazakhstan, the graves of other "warriors" were found. Gifts lay next to the female skeletons: arrowheads and daggers. Obviously, the women of this nomadic tribe knew how to stand up for themselves in battle. The age of the burial is two and a half thousand years. Who is this? Also Amazons?

The geography of such finds is much wider, since there is evidence that the Amazons could be in India, and in Malaysia, and even near Baltic Sea. And just recently, English scientists found that some Amazons fought for the Romans on the territory of modern Great Britain. The remains of two female Amazon warriors who served in the Roman army in Britain have been discovered in a burial site in Bruem, Cumbria.

It is believed that women came here from the Danube region of Eastern Europe- it was there, as the ancient Greeks claimed, that terrible female warriors lived. The women of this Amazon tribe, which supposedly died out between 220 and 300 AD, were burned on funeral pyres along with their horses and military ammunition. It is very possible that these Amazons were part of the Numerii - irregular troops of the Roman army attached to the legions that served in Britain. Other finds indicate that their unit came from the Danubian provinces of Noricum, Pannonia and Illyria, now part of Austria, Hungary and the former Yugoslavia.

The Bruem burial site contained a fortification and a civilian settlement, and analysis of the remains of more than 180 people showed that the ashes of the dead were buried here. Burnt remains of animals were found along with the remains of one of the women. Bone plates were also found, which were used to decorate caskets, as well as parts of a sword scabbard and pottery. All this indicates that the woman had a high status; her age is estimated to be between 20 and 40 years old. In the grave of another woman, whose age ranges from 21 to 45, they found a silver bowl, scabbard and bone jewelry. So, there were women warriors in the world?

Two Amazons kill a male warrior. ancient mosaic

In ancient times, the Greeks believed that the Amazons, who worshiped the goddess Artemis, descended from the god of war Ares (Mars) and his own daughter Harmony, that these tribes lived on the Fermodon River near the city of Themiscyra in Asia Minor. IN spring period, within two months, the Amazons entered into marriages with strangers or men who lived in the neighborhood, for procreation. The girls were kept at home, and the boys were either killed or given to their fathers. According to the Greek historian Herodotus, "no girl should know a man until she kills an enemy." Well, the word "Amazon" comes from the words "a" and "mazon", which means "without breasts", it seems to come from the name of the custom to cauterize the right breast at an early age and thereby stop its development, so that it would be more convenient to pull the bowstring, master the weapon...

So where did the "women without breasts" live? Many researchers believe that the myths contain some of the historically valuable information, and indicate: in the north of Turkey, in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe modern river Terme Chai. What exactly is this legendary river Fermodont, at the mouth of which was the country of the Amazons, from where they came to the aid of the Trojans. And before the Trojan War, the Amazons moved to the Fermodon River from the Caucasus Mountains.

Battle of the Greeks with the Amazons. Relief on a Roman marble sarcophagus

The ancient Greek historian Diodorus Siculus wrote that Amazon women lived on the borders of the inhabited world (that is, outside the territories known to the Hellenes). According to him, the Amazon women ruled society and were engaged in military affairs, and the men busied themselves with the housework, following the instructions of their wives. And when children were born, men were instructed to take care of them. Legends and testimonies of ancient historians attribute to the Amazons participation in the Trojan War, the invasion of the Cimmerians (a nomadic people who lived in the Crimea and the nearby steppes) into Asia Minor, a campaign in Attica (the country of ancient Greek city-states) and the siege of Athens.

In particular, after the Trojan War, a detachment of Amazons appeared on the territory of the Scythians.

The Greek historian Herodotus wrote: “that the Greeks fought the Amazons [a tribe of fighting women, so called the Scythians] who were defeated and scattered in different directions. The Greeks who survived were taken prisoner and taken with them on three large ships. At sea, women rebelled against their enslavers and killed everyone, but, not knowing the rules of navigation, they were forced to entrust the ships to the will of the wind.

“Their ships were tossed from side to side until they washed up on Kremnez on the shore Sea of ​​Azov not far from the country of the free Scythians.

“When these women landed in Scythia, they entered the country, captured horses and began to raid and rob the population. By this they aroused the wrath of the Scythians, who did not understand them at first, because they did not know their language, and did not know who they were. The Scythians took them for young men who invaded the country with the aim of capturing. Therefore, the Scythians responded to their aggressive actions in the same way, and a battle broke out between the two sides, as a result of which many were killed.

Amazonomachy. Louvre

When the battle was over, the Scythians realized that their opponents were women and decided not to kill them even in self-defense. Then they chose as many of their best youths as there were women fighting, and asked them to pitch tents near the Amazons' camp and not harm them, and also to approach them as close as possible. They wanted to raise children from such brave women."

“Young people from Scythia listened to the advice of their elders, and when the women felt that the young men had no hostile intentions, they came close to the camp. And then the young people managed to conquer and subdue them. Scythians and Amazons united and eventually became one people. The Scythians, however, could not learn the language of the Amazons. But the latter learned the Scythian language, and when they were able to communicate with each other, the young people said this: “We have parents and relatives, we have enormous wealth, but now we must live differently. It will be better if we stay with our Scythian people. We don't need other women."

Amazon in a Scythian costume on an ancient red-figure vessel

“The Amazons answered the following: “We will not be able to live next to the women of your country, because their way of life is different from what we are used to. We shoot arrows, ride horses and raid. We are not taught the duties of ordinary women who are busy with housework. If you want us to remain your wives, you will have to go to your parents and return with your share of the wealth. If you do this, we will be your wives forever."

“These words convinced young people. They went to their parents and relatives and returned to the Amazons with their share of the wealth. Then the Amazons said: “After we separated you from your parents and relatives and harmed them, we cannot stay here, because we are afraid of the consequences. We must move from here and settle beyond the Tan (Don River).

The Scythians agreed and left home country. They crossed the Don River and moved east for three full days until they came to the land where they live today.

“Many Sarmatian women still adhere to their old customs, ride horseback and go hunting either alone or with their husbands. Many of them accompany their husbands in wars, and their clothes are no different from the clothes of men.

Amazonomachia on an ancient Roman sarcophagus

Here is what Herodotus said. Now let's read what other ancient historians wrote about these warlike women who married Scythian youths and laid the foundation for the Sarmatian family.

Hippocrates wrote: “The Scythian tribe lives around Lake Meot / Sea of ​​Azov /. They are decidedly different from neighboring tribes. They are called Sarmatians. Their young women ride horses, carry bows and arrows, and take part in wars before marriage. None of them has the right to marry until he has killed three enemies. From the earliest times, these women used to use special pewter tools to burn the right breasts of their little daughters to make it easier for them to carry a sword and other weapons.

There is a version...

Ephor believes that the Meotians and Sarmatians were one people, and that the Amazons, after the Battle of Farmadon, mixed with the Sarmatians, who became known as "those ruled by women." Later they lived on the plains of Kabarda, Kuma and the Marmedalis / Terek / river, which separated them from the Legs, who were none other than Lezgins or Dagestanis.

In fact, there is nothing in Herodotus' account that would seem fictional or improbable, although the possibility of the Amazons' existence for a long time as a tribe without men seems doubtful. History knows other similar cases. Thus, for example, we learn that the men of Caribia spoke a language different from that of their wives. This happened as a result of the fact that this tribe fought with another tribe that lived on the islands, and won. The Caribs killed all the men and took their wives for themselves. Similar things happened among some Asiatic tribes that live in the north of this continent, and among the ancient American tribes. It can also be added that even now among the Caucasian peoples, female heroism is a common occurrence.

Reineggs was the first to record the history of the Amazons among the Circassians. Stories about them are passed down by the peoples of the Caucasus from generation to generation. The above story was transmitted orally by older Circassians, and it is possible that it has undergone some changes and distortions over the course of many centuries and many generations. It is directly related to their first migration from their native places. They say: “When our ancestors lived on the shores of the Black Sea, they had to fight with the Emmatch, a tribe of women who lived in those mountainous places where the Svans and Circassians now live. They also captured the neighboring plains as far as Akhlo-Kabak."

Franz von Stuck.Wounded Amazon

“These women refused to obey the orders of men or even communicate with them. They went out to fight. There were endless wars between us and them; victory went to us, then to them. Once, when we were preparing for a decisive battle, the wise princess of the Emmatch tribe, who was credited with the gift of foresight, suddenly left her tent and asked to meet with the prince and leader of the Circassians Tulma, who was also distinguished by outstanding mental abilities. The warriors pitched a white tent between the camps of the warring parties, and the two leaders met there for negotiations. A few hours later, the princess came out and addressed her army, saying that everything was settled, and since Gulma's arguments were stronger and more convincing than her own, she agreed to marry him. She added that according to their plan, the enmity should die out and give way to friendship, then she ordered the two armies to follow the example of their leaders.

“The order was carried out, and soon hatred and enmity gave way to love. Circassian warriors married warlike women, and all dispersed over the lands where they live now.

After Reineggs, Count Potocki heard the same historical legend about fighting women, with minor deviations in details, from the exiled Circassians.

As for the name "Fermadon", it probably came from the language of the Amazons, who spoke the language of the Sarmatians, from whom modern Ossetians originate, since it is well known that the last syllable of this word /i.e. “don” / means “water” or “river” in the language of the Sarmatians and Ossetians.

Amazon with a horse, with a fighting double ax and in a cap. House of Orpheus. End of II - beginning of III century. n. e.

Back to the Scythians:

There is also such a legend that the Scythians decided to send a group of their young men to the Amazons, equal in number to the number of Amazons, but not to fight with them, but to camp nearby. Convinced that they were not in danger from the aliens, the Amazons did not attack them. Whether for a long time or short, but the Amazons began to enter into contact with the young Scythians and even mastered their language. Young Scythians called the Amazons to join their tribe, but the Amazons did not agree and began to live on their own. So a new people appeared on the territory of the Scythians - Savromats, who spoke a distorted Scythian language. This legend has recently found real confirmation during the excavations of Scythian mounds in the adjacent territories of Russia and Kazakhstan, where, among other things, they found burials of women with armor and military weapons. The same burials were found in the Caucasus and in the northern Black Sea region, where women were buried with weapons and even with horse harness.

On the map of 1770, Amazonia is placed north of the lands of the Sarmatians.

The history of the appearance of the Amazons under the walls of Athens is associated with the name of the ancient Greek hero Theseus (Theseus). Plutarch told this story. In one of his travels along Pontus Auxinus (Black Sea), Theseus sailed to the coast of the country of the Amazons and landed where he was received very hospitably. For this hospitality, he repaid with black ingratitude, falling in love with the Amazon queen Antiope and taking her away on his ship to Athens. To free their queen, the Amazons went overland to Athens and laid siege to the city. The siege lasted 4 months and ended with a battle near the walls of the Acropolis, however, to no avail for both sides. Therefore, a truce was concluded, and the Amazons went home. They did not release Antiope, because she fought on the side of the Greeks and fell in battle. These are the things that happened in antiquity: it is not clear what they fought for.

Hercules fights the Amazons. Antique black-figure vessel

It turns out that this legend did not arise from scratch. Sarmatian women really fought along with men. This is evidenced by the finds of archaeologists, who are often found in the burials of Sarmatian women. military weapon. Naturally, two such warlike peoples often fought. Armed skirmishes constantly arose in the border territories, light detachments made swift raids on foreign territories, stealing cattle and taking away slaves. But wars could not last forever. At times, disagreements subsided, then the Scythians and Sarmatians traded or made joint military campaigns in other countries. They also united to repel the attacks of dangerous external enemies. So, the Sarmatians sent their armies to help the Scythians, in which there were women, when the Persian army of King Darius approached the borders of Scythia.
According to ancient Greek historians, Homer, who was one of the main means mass media at one time, he composed not only the Iliad and the Odyssey, but also the poem The Land of the Amazon, which, however, unlike the Iliad and the Odyssey, glorifying the exploits of male heroes and which have come down to us in amazing integrity , despite their exorbitant volume, for some reason did not survive at all. True, not a single line was found during any excavations.

As for the question of the origin of the word "Amazon" and the missing right breast, then, as the pre-revolutionary encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron notes, absolutely on all the images that have come down to us - statues, reliefs, paintings, etc. - the Amazons "ideally beautiful figures with both breasts, but with highly developed muscles. In general, Homer spoke rather dryly about the Amazons. In the legend of the Argonauts, they are generally depicted as disgusting furies. However, in the reports of later authors, their image becomes more and more attractive, while they themselves, driven by rumor either to Libya or to Meotida - to the Sea of ​​Azov, are already reminiscent of epic heroes or fairy fairies ...

Bosporan pelika with the head of an Amazon, a horse and a vulture

According to Herodotus, after the Trojan War, the Amazons withdrew to the east and again mixed with the Scythians. This is how the people of the Sarmatians arose, where the newcomer Amazons were equal with men. These militant guests spoke of local residents as follows: “We cannot live with your women, because we do not have the same customs as them. We are engaged in bows, arrows, horses, but we have not studied women's work; In your country, the women don’t do anything that has been said, but they do women’s work, sitting in their wagons.”

It is noteworthy that, speaking of the Amazons, ancient authors invariably emphasize their unparalleled courage and military prowess. In the Roman Empire, it was considered the highest praise for a warrior to tell him that he "fought like an Amazon." According to the Roman historian Dion Cassius, when the half-mad emperor Commodus in the 2nd century AD acted in the arena of the Colosseum as a gladiator, fighting either with animals or with people, the senators, and with them all the other spectators, were obliged to greet him with cries: “ You are the ruler of the world! In your glory you are like the Amazons!”

Yes, the female warriors were worthy of such admiration. Their composure became legendary: pursued by enemies, they hit them without a miss from the bow, half-turning in the saddle. They were particularly skilled with the double axe. This razor-sharp weapon, as well as a light crescent-shaped shield, have become invariable attributes of the Amazons in any images. But not only the Greeks and Romans spoke of the Amazons. Stories about battles with tribes of warlike women are known, for example, from ancient Chinese and Egyptian history. The Amazons were not forgotten, but already in the first century BC new era the first doubts about their real existence appear. The historian and geographer Strabo collected many stories about the Amazons, but, comparing them, he called them idle fictions.

Amazons. Drawing from a Neapolitan antique vase

“Something strange has happened to the story of the Amazons. The fact is that in all other legends, mythical and historical elements are delimited ... As for the Amazons, the same legends have always been in use about them - both before and now - completely wonderful and incredible.

His opinion was shared by subsequent generations of historians. In addition, it turns out that the Amazons suddenly disappeared into the vastness of history without a trace. “As for the current whereabouts of the Amazons,” Strabo summed up, “only a few report only unproven and implausible information about this.” So the warrior maidens became truly legendary creatures. Their images only colored the exploits of the ancient heroes, excited the imagination, and at the same time stopped any women's contradictions. According to the rhetorician Isocrates, "no matter how brave the Amazons were, they were defeated by men and lost everything." One way or another, but the stories "about the Amazons" continued to excite men's minds. The famous medieval traveler Marco Polo claimed to have personally seen the Amazons in Asia. The Spaniards and the Portuguese reported "Amazon states" in South America.

Bosporan pelika with Amazons - battle with the Greek

At one time, Columbus learned from the Indians about a certain island, which was inhabited only by women. He wanted to capture several of them, then to show the Spanish queen. But it was not necessary to conquer the island. When the ships of Columbus anchored near one of the islands and sent a boat with people ashore, many women in feathers and armed with bows ran out of the nearby forest. From their behavior it was clear that they decided to defend their native places. Columbus called the area the Virgin Islands, that is, the "Islands of the Virgins."

One of the famous conquistadors, Francisco de Orellana, discovered the great river on the South American continent and was the first European to cross it at its widest point. In the summer of 1542, his detachment allegedly saw the legendary Amazons, with whom he entered into battle. Today it is believed that these were either Indian women fighting alongside men, or the Spaniards simply mistook the long-haired Indians for women. By the way, he wanted to name the river Orellana discovered by him by his own name, but another one took root - the Amazon, in honor of the very women warriors with whom his warriors allegedly fought ...

The Amazons (“breastless”) got their name much later, it finally established itself behind them in South America. Once the Spaniards entered the territory of the tribe, which, as it turned out, was subject to the Amazons, and the locals called the Amazons for help. The Amazons fought against the Spaniards in the forefront and showed unparalleled courage and outstanding martial arts. It was not possible to capture at least one of them in order to show the Spanish Catholic Majesties, as well as to conquer the country. And this country was called "Amazonia" and the river - "Amazon". The name "Brazil" appeared later on the basis of the old Celtic legends about the fabulous island "O Brasil", the island of happiness inhabited by women.

Amazon (Amazonas) - a river flowing in the northern part of South America.

It is the longest, deepest and largest river in the world.

a quarter of all fresh water planets (220 thousand cubic meters) is carried into the ocean by the great Amazon River.

How did the world know about her?

The largest river discovered was the Spanish conquistadors in 1542.

In its jungle, they encountered a tribe of warlike Amazon women, entered into battle with them and were so impressed by their courage that they named the river they discovered the Amazon.

Scientists believe that, most likely, these "Amazons" were Indians with long hair or their wives.

Many expeditions searched for the source of the river, but the huge pool and many tributaries created difficulties in the search.

And only in 1996, with the help of space technology, the real source of the Amazon was found.

Description

The great river originates at an altitude of 5,170 meters in the Andes, located in Peru. It starts from the small Apacheta stream, which, together with other streams and numerous mountain rivers, flows into the largest tributary of the Amazon - the Ucayali River. The length of the "queen of rivers" according to the latest research is 7,100 kilometers, and the Amazon has every right to be called the longest river in the world.
The second place is occupied by the Nile River.

Delta

The river delta occupies an immense area of ​​100 thousand km², its width is 200 km.

It is dotted with many straits and channels, between which there are numerous small and large islands.

The area of ​​the delta, equal to 100 thousand km², is the largest in the world. The Amazon Delta goes inland due to ocean tides, which form a four-meter wave with their power.

A huge wave rolls up the river at a speed of 25 km / h, which decreases as it travels. Local residents feel the tide even 1,000 km from the ocean.

mouth

At the mouth of 250 km, the river branches into three branches, which, washing three islands, carry the waters of the Amazon to the Atlantic Ocean.

One of the islands of Moraio, with an area of ​​19,270 km², is considered the largest river island in the world.

The depth of the deepest river in the world reaches 100 meters at the mouth.

In the lower reaches of the river, not only river steamers go, but also ocean liners. The Amazon includes about 100 navigable rivers, some of which stretch for 1,500 km.

Amazonia

More than 500 tributaries, rivers and streams, which are spread over the vast territory of the mainland, fill the Amazon with water. All of them, together with the great river, create a unique pool, which has no equal on planet Earth. The Amazon River Basin has a truly vast area - 7,180 thousand square kilometers. The borders of this giant water system include countries such as Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia and Ecuador.

The basin is located in the Amazonian lowland - Amazonia, - the area of ​​\u200b\u200bwhich is 5 million km². A tropical rainforest grows here - the largest forest in the world. It consumes a gigantic amount of carbon dioxide and releases an equally huge amount of oxygen. No wonder the Amazon is called the "green lungs" of the planet Earth.

The territory of the Amazon is located on the equator, so the climate here pleases with its constancy. The air temperature throughout the year is stable during the day within 25–28 °, and at night not lower than 20 ° Celsius. The rainy season lasts from March to May. Rivers flood due to heavy rains. Water in the Amazon, rising by 20 m, floods the forests around for several tens of kilometers. After the end of the rains, the river returns to its course.

Vegetable world

Ideal climatic conditions contribute to the development in the Amazon forests of the lush and most diverse vegetation in the world. The composition of the Amazonian rainforest is amazing with countless plant species. There are about 4,000 species of trees alone. You can list the most interesting of them.

• Hevea is the most famous rubber plant.
• Chocolate tree.
• Cinchona.
• Papaya.
• Palm trees up to 60 meters high.
• Red tree.

On the lower tier of the tropical selva grow different kinds ferns, bromeliads, bananas. A wide variety of orchids amaze with their bright colors and beauty.

And on the surface of the waters you can see the largest water lily in the world - Victoria Regia. Its leaves in diameter reach two meters and can withstand a weight of about 50 kilograms. Large fragrant flowers, blooming, from white color gradually turn purple. Its seeds are edible and have a pleasant taste. Due to the vast territories and sometimes impenetrable jungle, 30% of the flora has not been studied.

Animal world

Humid rainforest environment where heavy rains alternate with sweltering spells and a large network big rivers and small streams created excellent conditions for the appearance in the waters of the Amazon of the richest and most diverse aquatic fauna on the planet.

Amazing aquatic life

Ichthyologists have discovered 2,500 species of fish in the river - one-third of all freshwater species. This diversity is due to the fact that many Amazon rivers originate in different areas with various conditions, because of which they chemical composition water is very different. Therefore, each of them has its own special species of fish and amphibians.

• Bull shark, or blunt shark, up to 3 m long and weighing up to 300 kg.
• Cayman crocodile.
• Small piranha fish. The whole world knows her bloodthirstiness. Locals say it's better to meet one caiman than three small piranhas.
• Pink Amazonian dolphin. Likes to hunt piranha.
• Electric eel up to 2 m long and with a discharge of 300 volts.
• The regulars of aquariums are ornamental fish. The most famous of them are guppies and swordtails.
• Living fossil - arapaima fish up to 2 meters long and weighing about 100 kg. Lives in the Amazon for 400 million years.
• Anaconda is a water snake up to 12 meters long. The biggest and dangerous snake in the world.

A wide variety of wildlife lives in the tropical jungle of the Amazon - 250 species of mammals, 1,800 species of feathered creatures and the same number of beautiful butterflies, 200 species of mosquitoes and hundreds more different types animals that have not yet been classified. Some channels in the impenetrable forests of the Amazon have not yet been explored. Among the animals of the Amazonian rainforest there are species that are not found in any other part of the planet.

Rare birds and animals

• Tiny, butterfly-sized birds - hummingbirds. They feed on the nectar of flowers and have a bright unique plumage.
• The smallest monkeys in the world are marmosets. They weigh 100 grams or less.
• Howler monkeys with a voice that deafens the whole neighborhood.
• A giant capybara the size of a large dog, but related to rodents.

All the rare animals that settle in the fertile selva cannot be counted. And how many of them are still unknown to science in this unique diversity of life in the Amazon?

The role of the Amazon in the Earth's ecosystem

The unique ecosystem of the Amazon basin plays an extremely important role in the global climate balance on the planet. It affects the chemical composition of the atmosphere.

"Green lungs" process harmful emissions, thereby reducing the risk of the greenhouse effect for the Earth. With reasonable use, the rich Amazonian forest can provide the inhabitants of the planet with inexhaustible resources of food, technical raw materials, and valuable timber. 25% of all medicinal substances in the world are extracted from the green wealth growing in the Amazon.

Ecological problems

IN last years this most important natural region is threatened by a global threat.

Unfortunately, the Amazon ecosystem is very vulnerable, especially when it is invaded by humans. New territories are being explored. Dams are being built to prevent fish migration. Animals are being destroyed.

Deforestation

But the main trouble for the tropical selva is uncontrolled deforestation, and not only because of the wood. In the countries of South America, agriculture and cattle breeding are spreading more and more, for which forests are thoughtlessly cut down. The soil of the rainforests is rapidly depleted, farmers are looking for new territories and again irresponsibly cutting down the precious forest.

In addition, large areas of the forest are being cleared for rubber, sugar cane, bananas, and coffee.

Most often, felling is done by slash-and-burn method. After cutting down trees, young growth, stumps and bushes are completely burned out.

Torrential rains wash away the top humus layer of the soil, unprotected by vegetation, after which the cut down area of ​​​​the forest will never recover.

And if the forest is cut down on the slopes, then the precipitation that falls in the mountains, without barriers in the form of forest vegetation, rushes from the mountains in powerful streams of water and wash away the soil layer into the waters of the Amazon.

The soil that gets into the river causes its silting and shallowing.

The destruction of forests threatens the disappearance of the unique gene pool of animals, aquatic fauna, and medicinal plants.

For a normal existence, the animal world needs large forest areas. With the deforestation of tropical forests, the plants that provide food and shelter for most of the forest inhabitants of the Amazon are disappearing.

In 2000, Brazil began to implement an economic development plan called "Avansa Brazil", which includes the construction of infrastructure: power plants, roads, power lines, gas pipelines and much more. If this plan is implemented, about 40% of the forest will be cut down.

Environmental scientists are sounding the alarm. If the Brazilian authorities do not take measures to protect this most important region of the Earth, then an environmental catastrophe on a planetary scale will not be far off.

The fight for the environment

Nevertheless, the authorities of the countries that are located on the territory of the Amazon are making many efforts to protect their unique region.

• There is a fight against poachers.
• With the help of the police, illegal logging is stopped.
• Created reserves and National parks. For example, in Brazil there is national park Zhau.
• Breeding in progress rare species fish and animals in nurseries.
• Information work is carried out among the population.
• underway Scientific research and developments to save the Amazon.

Unfortunately, there are no quick wins in the field of nature protection. There is no doubt that the development of new territories by man requires a careful approach and coordinated measures to protect the unique nature and restore what has already been lost. In 1992, in Rio de Janeiro, at the World Environmental Forum, the participating countries signed a document called "Agenda for the 21st Century." This is essentially a global plan to save the planet Earth. I would like to believe that it will be carried out.

Mission of Humanity

The Amazon River is an incomprehensible and beautiful world with all its immense diversity of life. An amazing harmony of animal and animal reigns here. flora. She is very fragile and vulnerable and requires an extremely careful and respectful attitude towards herself. And the preservation of this precious connection depends only on us - after all, we are also in the same chain with it.

In the 21st century, humanity will have to take up the decision at the most serious level environmental issues. We have no choice if we want to live happily ever after on a healthy planet. There is a lot of work to be done - the preservation of tropical forests and fertile lands, the maintenance of biodiversity and endangered species, the solution of problems of industrial and household pollution, depletion of mineral reserves, restoration of the ozone layer. And nature, including the Amazon, will be saved.

The territory of the Amazon basin, in which the most significant forest areas on our planet are located, is divided among themselves by Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Bolivia. These vast expanses feed the numerous tributaries of the Amazon all the way through the rain jungle from the Andean heights to the Atlantic coast. Such a significant part of the continent can be viewed with a single glance only from space.

About 1100 large and small tributaries hide their channels under the cover of the tropical jungle, moving from the highlands and covering the Amazon basin with a dense network throughout its path. Of the many tributaries of the Amazon, 17 have a length of more than 1500 km. Together with the Amazon, they carry about 20% of the total fresh water on the planet. Since the area itself is relatively flat, the channels of the rivers flowing through it are rather shallow. On average, the bed of the Amazon goes down by 5 mm for every kilometer - that is, no more than the water in the most ordinary bath! Most of the time, between 100,000 and 200,000 cubic meters are dumped into the Atlantic Ocean. m of fresh water, depending on seasonal differences.

Most of the major tributaries of the Amazon get their names from the color of the water. For example, the water in Rio Negro appears black, while in Madeira it appears golden scarlet, reminiscent of the wine of the same name. Near Manaus in Brazil, the Rio Negro merges with the yellow, muddy waters of the Solimões, rushing down the slopes of the Andes. Two rivers, falling into one bed, behave like two immiscible liquids for a long time, and only after 80 km the yellow water of Solimões takes over.

The headwaters of the Solimões, discovered only in 1971, are similar to the headwaters of all rivers in this system. They are located in the mountains in Peru and Ecuador and flow in a northwesterly direction to Brazil. On this way, the river manages to change its name six times, and it is called Solimões in the middle course. Only on the last, relatively straight line, which is about one third of the total length, the river is called the Amazon.

The length of the Amazon is 6275 km, it is the longest river in the world, which has absorbed many smaller rivers. During high water seasons, about 280,000 cubic meters flow through its channel. m of water per second. It is so deep that even ocean liners can safely ascend 3,700 km from its mouth. Thanks to this, they reach almost all corners of the northern part of the continent, up to the Peruvian city of Iquitos, located in the heart of the rain jungle, where the railway has not yet reached further.

Data

• Location: The territory of the Amazon Basin, which contains the most significant forests on our planet, is divided among themselves by Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Bolivia.
• Area: Its area is 6.5 million square meters. km, which is 5% of the entire surface of the earth's land.
• Length: The Amazon gets its name from its largest river. Amazon, having a length of 6275 km, a width of 5-12 km and a depth of 30-100m.

Learning interesting facts is always informative and interesting. Some of these facts are geographical records - the highest mountain, the deepest sea or the longest river on earth. The record holder for the length is the Amazon River, which flows through South America.

Record length of the Amazon

The length of the Amazon was decided not so long ago, when it became possible to study geographical objects using satellites. And as soon as its length was recalculated, it removed the African Nile from its pedestal, ahead of it by several tens of kilometers. Calculating the length of the Amazon along with the origins, scientists got the figure of 6992 km (against 6852 km of the Nile).

Geographic Description

The Amazon flows through the South American continent and flows into the Atlantic Ocean. It originates in the Andes - mountains located in the southern part of Peru. Other countries the river crosses:

• Brazil (most of it is located in this country).
• Ecuador.
• Bolivia.
• Colombia.

The river delta is also one of the largest and has an area of ​​​​more than 100 thousand km². Here you can observe a unique phenomenon - a huge wave formed by the tides, which reaches up to 4 m in height and moves up the river at high speed. The roar from the water shaft is heard at a distance of several hundred kilometers.

Amazon records are not limited to length. At its mouth is the island of Marajo, which is the largest river island in the world. Its area is more than 19 thousand km². The mouth of the river branches into three parts, each of which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. From here, large ocean liners enter the river, which can move inland along it for more than 1600 km, to the port of Manaus. In total, about two-thirds of the Amazon basin is navigable.

During the rainy season, the river can rise to 20 m and overflow in some places up to 40 km. This period lasts from March to May. It flows through the territory with an equatorial climate, characterized by stability and minimal changes during the year. average temperature air in these parts - 25-28 degrees during the day.

The greatest depth is at around 130 m. river system includes more than 500 tributaries. Among them there are large and long rivers, for example, Rio Negro, Madeira, Xingu, Isa, Tapajos. Their length exceeds 1500 km.

Flora and fauna of the world's longest water artery

The area around long river the planet is called Amazonia, it is a unique ecosystem that includes a huge number of representatives of the animal and plant world, including rare ones. And again, the river is ahead of all such corners of the planet, because the world's largest forest grows around its banks. The type of this forest ecosystem is the humid tropics.

More than 4 thousand tree species and an innumerable number of plants, shrubs, and flowers grow in the Amazonian tropics.

During high tides, coastal forests are flooded, but the species growing there have long adapted to life in such conditions and calmly endure the difficulties of surviving under water. Notable and interesting trees:

• hevea;
• chocolate tree;
• cinchona;
• red;
• papaya;
• palm trees, including banana.

A variety of ferns, shrubs, beautiful orchids grow around the longest river. Among the interesting and rare plants stands out the world's largest water lily called Victoria Regia, whose diameter can reach two meters. The Amazon forest is full of surprises and unexplored places where there may be plants and animals or insects not yet known to people.

fauna inhabitants

In the territories around this waterway, a unique gene pool of animals, birds, insects, and reptiles has been collected. The Amazon River features one of the world's most diverse animal kingdoms.

Almost a third of all species live in the river basin freshwater fish on the planet. This is about 2.5 thousand. World fame, although not very positive, was brought to these waters by piranhas - small predatory fish with sharp teeth, to which more than one horror movie has been dedicated.

Among interesting views: bull shark, pink dolphin, electric eel, reaching 2 m in length. One of the oldest existing fish - arapaima, can grow up to 2 m. This species has a history of 400 million years.

More than 250 species of mammals and snakes live in the Amazon: the Caiman crocodile, the huge anaconda snake up to 12 m long, monkeys, tapir, jaguar, capybara. More than 400 species of birds, including the famous little hummingbirds, a huge number of colorful and diverse butterflies and other insects - this is just a known part of the fauna that inhabits the areas around the longest river. Some of the species that live here are found nowhere else on the planet, such as the white dolphin or the Amazonian otter.

The Amazon accounts for about half of all known living organisms on Earth, so it is rightfully considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

What role does the Amazon play in the Earth's ecosystem?

This long river has essential for the ecology of the planet. If we destroy the unique natural world Amazon, all life on the planet will be at risk. This river with its adjacent forests is often referred to as the "lungs of the planet". The crowns of the trees and shrubs of the region produce a strategic supply of oxygen, help curb the greenhouse effect by participating in the processing of harmful substances released into the atmosphere. The chemical balance of the composition of the air on the planet largely depends on the well-being of the rainforest around the Amazon.

Around the longest river grow medicinal species plants used for the production of pharmaceuticals and natural medicines. A quarter of the world's known representatives of the flora grow here. healing properties. This directly links the Amazon to the safety of mankind.

Unfortunately, this miracle of nature has long been threatened by uncontrolled destruction of forests for valuable timber, industrial pollution and poaching. Among the most important tasks facing environmentalists and governments around the world today is the problem of ecology of the longest river on the planet.

Amazonia is one of the most dangerous and attractive regions of the planet! What to see and how to go to the Amazon jungle, safety secrets. Photos and reviews.

In South America, on the territory of such states as Colombia, Peru, Venezuela and others, there is a vast natural region called Amazonia. The region is located in the valley of one of the greatest rivers on Earth - the Amazon, whose waters literally cut through the entire South American continent. The area on which there are dense and in some places still unexplored rainforests, is equal to 5 million km².

The climate of the Amazon, also called the "lungs of the planet", can be described as tropical humid. The average temperature indicator here is located at the level of 28 degrees Celsius, with relative quantity precipitation from one and a half to three thousand millimeters per year.

History of the Amazon region

The settlement of the territory of the Amazonian forests began about 11 thousand years ago, as evidenced by the findings of archaeological expeditions. The first large Indian settlements began to appear in the border areas of the jungle no earlier than in the 13th century AD. The foot of Europeans set foot on the lands of the Amazon only in the middle of the 16th century. The pioneer is Francisco Orellana, a conquistador to whom this area owes its name.

According to legend, the Europeans were inspired to give the name to this vast region of Latin America by the fact that during the expedition the Spaniards stumbled upon a tribe of women who fought as desperately as the heroines of the ancient Greek myths "Amazons".

The harsh hospitality of the Amazon

Do not deceive yourself: the inhabitants of the Amazon jungle look charming only in the photo

Amazonia has never been considered a hospitable place by researchers, it was painfully many scientific minds that this land ruined. Who died at the hands of representatives of local tribes, who fell victim to tropical diseases and insects, and who, getting lost in the virgin jungle of the Amazonia Rain Forest, could not get food or drinkable water, and remained here forever, unable to Find the way out.

Legends of the Amazon

There are many legends associated with the Amazonian jungle. Rumor has it that semi-mythical creatures unknown to science live here, in every possible way avoiding humans.

There are also rumors about the Indian city of El Dorado, hidden deep in the jungles of the Amazon, where the leader of the tribe escaping from the Spaniards hid untold riches.

Journey to the Amazon: extreme, uncomfortable, but exciting!

By the way, with regard to the treasures of El Dorado, many supporters of the theory of alternative history are sure that they are not gold at all. After all, the South American Indians considered it only a beautiful stone that had no value. But the ancient technologies that made it possible to erect pyramids and ideally lay the giant stones from which their cities were built had a price and importance for the Indians. That is why it was they who were hidden in the impregnable city, which is still safely kept by Amazonia - one of the most severe regions of our planet.

There are legends and beliefs about the spirits inhabiting these forests. About mystical portals and space bases of aliens, allegedly hidden from the eyes of people under a psi-field, causing a feeling of panic when approaching it. And there are many other folklore stories of this kind that have not found scientific confirmation.

The foot of Europeans set foot on the lands of the Amazon only in the middle of the 16th century. The pioneer is Francisco Orellana, a conquistador.

Reading this, one involuntarily thinks about what scientific expeditions spend time and money on from numerous grants and government programs for exploration of the Amazon region.

Scientific discoveries in the region

However, over the years of scientific work on the study of the area, many really valuable discoveries have been made. So, for example, it was in the Amazon that colossal reserves of the rubber tree were found, from which rubber was made before the discovery of the method of its chemical production. More than 40 thousand plants have been discovered and studied here, many of which have unique properties and are used to produce expensive medicines that can help with serious diseases. For example, the modern scourges of humanity are hepatitis, AIDS and cancer.

According to scientists, more than four hundred species of animals live in the jungle, and more than three thousand different species of fish and hundreds of thousands of smaller representatives of river fauna live in local waters. In addition to plants, animals and birds, scientists regularly discover here tribes living in the same way as their ancestors lived thousands of years ago. Scientific works The study of the Amazon is still ongoing. Nevertheless, huge areas of the jungle remain black spots on the map of the Earth.

The myths and legends that envelop the Amazon jungle are a source of inspiration for many - they are used to create films and write books dedicated to these places. And especially enterprising people gather groups of adventurers, armed with scientific equipment, to go to explore these places.

Brazil's Amazon Journey Begins in the Town

However knowledgeable people it is not advised to meddle here without special training, equipment and a competent guide. Enthusiasm is good, but in these places it can cost lives. It is better to go exploring the jungle as part of a large group and along a tourist route laid through well-studied and relatively safe places. And then, perhaps, the Amazon will be more favorable to you!