On the MONGABAY website of Rhett A. Butler one can find many interesting facts about the Amazon Rainforest. Iâd like to share a few of them to provide the background for the story.Fact one: The Amazon is the worldâs largest rainforest. At 6.9 million square km it is roughly the size of the USA or 40% of the South American continent.Fact two: The Amazon River is by far the worldâs largest river with over 1100 tributaries, 17 of which are longer than 1500 km.Fact three: In the first half of the 15th century, the Amazon Rainforest was already populated by many sedentary tribes that managed to live sustainable lives without damaging the forest. During the first century of European presence, the population was reduced by 90% through illnesses, and abuse by colonists, rubber tappers and developers.Fact Four: Under Brazilâs 1988 constitution, 26.4% of the Amazon Basin has been set aside as reserves for around 450,000 indigenous people (or âIndiansâ). This helped the Indian population to rebound, but they are constantly under attack by poor farmers, explorers and developers who, illegally, wish to exploit forest resources.Fact Five: The Amazon is estimated to have 16,000 tree species, 390 billion individual trees, and 2.5 million species of insects.Fact Six: 70% of South Americaâs GDP is produced in areas that receive rainfall or water from the Amazon. The Amazon influences rainfall patterns as far away as the United States.
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Jan 7, 2023
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