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Amazon Rainforest Facts & Worksheets

The largest rainforest on Earth is found in the Amazon River Basin, which covers about 40% of the South American continent.

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The largest rainforest on Earth is found in the Amazon River Basin, which covers about 40% of the South American continent, roughly the size of the 48 contiguous United States. It consists of portions of eight South American nations, including Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname, as well as French Guiana, a department of France.

See the fact file below for more information on the Amazon Rainforest, or you can download our 27-page Amazon Rainforest worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY AND ETYMOLOGY

  • Waters carved through the sandstone to the west around ten million years ago caused the Amazon to start flowing eastward. 
  • The Amazon jungle began to exist at this time. Sea levels fell during the Ice Age, causing the enormous Amazon lake to dry up and turn into a river quickly. 
  • After being ambushed by female warriors known as the Icamiabas, or “women without husbands,” while exploring the area, Spanish explorer Francisco Orellana gave the region the name “Amazon.” He compared them to the Greek mythological Amazons.

THE AMAZON RIVER

  • The Amazon River currently drains an area almost the size of the 48 contiguous United States, carrying more than five times the volume of the Congo River and twelve times that of the Mississippi River.
  • With that discharge, which is equal to 209,000 cubic meters of water per second (7.3 million cubic feet/sec), more than 7.2 million Olympic swimming pools could be filled each day, or New York City’s freshwater requirements could be fulfilled for nine years.
  • The Amazon River’s water flows another 125 miles out to sea before meeting the salt water of the Atlantic Ocean due to the intensity of the current caused by the sheer amount of water. Even before they saw the continent of South America, early seafarers could drink fresh water straight from the ocean.
  • Tons of suspended silt are transported by the river’s current all the way from the Andes, giving the river its distinctive image of muddy whitewater. Each day, 106 million cubic feet of suspended silt are estimated to wash into the ocean. Marajó Island, a river island roughly the size of Switzerland, is the product of the sediment deposited near the mouth of the Amazon.
  • Beyond the water that travels down the Amazon river, the Amazon influences the way moisture moves across the continent. Every day, the trees of the Amazon rainforest transpire enormous amounts of water vapor into the atmosphere. 

AMAZON PLANTS

  • The Amazon Rainforest is home to some 80,000 different plant species that develop into trees, shrubs, bushes, and vines, fostering a wildlife-rich ecosystem.
  • The giant trees of the Amazon are responsible for ensuring human survival. Amazonian rainforests supply 20% of the total oxygen found in the atmosphere of the Earth. By continuously absorbing carbon dioxide and delivering oxygen, the dense forest benefits us all. As a result, the Amazon rainforest has earned the title the “Lungs of the Planet.“
  • Less than 1% of the sunlight that strikes the region makes it to the ground. The result is that the forest floor constantly remains dark. The area where the forest is situated gets a lot of rain. However, because of the thickness of the canopy, it takes an average downpour of about 10 minutes to reach the ground.
  • The Brazil nut tree is a magnificent tree to come across in the rainforest because it is one of the biggest trees in Amazonia. 
  • The monkey brush (Combretum rotundifolium), a beloved plant and bloom to find in the Amazon Rainforest, has a distinctive appearance. The long filaments of the flowers give them the appearance of little bright red and yellow brushes.
  • The various bromeliads, which are epiphytes, can be seen in the Amazon Rainforest perched high on the branches of rainforest trees. Their large, water-retaining leaves provide a habitat for insects and tadpoles in this area. Many creatures living in the jungle depend on the bromeliads for shelter as well as for water.

AMAZON TRIBES

  • The largest rainforest in the world is the Amazon. One million Indians have their ancestral homes there as well. There are 400 tribes in total, each with its own language, culture, and geographical range. Nearly 500 years have passed since many first interacted with outsiders. Others, known as “uncontacted” tribes, have never even made contact.
  • Most of the tribes in the Amazon who reside near rivers communicate with the outside world. They cultivate fruits and vegetables like corn and beans in the rich soil used for farming. They employ homemade bows and arrows in addition to their highly developed hunting skills to catch animals and fish for food.
  • An estimated 15 uncontacted tribes live in the Peruvian Amazon, and most of them are nomads who move across the jungle depending on whether it’s rainy or dry.
  • The indigenous inhabitants of South America place a high value on the spiritual realm, which they contend can be reached through plants that contain specific hallucinogens.
  • The shaman, who has a thorough understanding of the region’s plants and animals and is thought to be able to interact with the spirit world, is one of the most significant individuals in many indigenous cultures. In essence, they are to them what a priest or a brahman is to us. They represent God’s wisdom on earth. As a result, shamans possess a power that enables them to change their level of consciousness, which allows them to view their surroundings in fresh and innovative ways and to learn the information they need to help their people.

UNIQUE ANIMALS OF THE AMAZON

  • The Amazon never ceases to astound wildlife researchers. We might be astonished that some of the various birds, animals, and insects thriving in these woodlands even exist. Because of widespread deforestation, many of these animals are in danger of becoming extinct.
  • The largest macaw, the hyacinth, is a native of the rainforests of the Amazon. Additionally, it is the biggest flying parrot species. Their enormous size and placid demeanor have earned them the moniker “gentle giant.“ The fact that macaws enjoy eating the clay from the banks of the Amazon River is among their most unusual characteristics.
  • The bodies of poison dart frogs are vividly colored. Their bodies are shades of bright yellow, red, blue, or black. Nature uses this vivid color as a warning to possible predators.
  • The largest river dolphin is the pink river dolphin, also known as the Amazon river dolphin. It can be discovered quite frequently in the basins of the Amazon River. These dolphins are freshwater-only creatures. The pink color is only present in male river dolphins.
  • A deadly pit viper species called the eyelash viper can be found throughout Central and South America. This snake lives in tropical regions with thick vegetation. As a result, they are common in Amazonian forests. Additional scales covering the eyes are the feature of this snake that stands out the most.
  • The Amazon Rainforest is estimated to have more palm trees than any other type of vegetation. The acai palm (Euterpe oleracea), a canopy species that may reach a height of 20 meters (65 feet), is the most prevalent. 

AMAZON’S DRIVERS OF DEFORESTATION

  • The “tipping point” of the Amazon, when it can no longer produce its own rainfall and sustain its rainforest ecosystems, is drawing nearer. According to estimates, Amazon’s current deforestation rate is 17%, and its tipping point is between 20% and 25%. The largest rainforest on Earth might, at worst, transform into a dry grassland if the tipping point
    is exceeded.
  • Unchecked Agricultural Expansion. Unchecked ranching growth and unsustainable farming methods remove forests and make places more vulnerable to flames that can spread swiftly out of control.
  • Illegal and Unmitigated Gold Mining. Indirect deforestation and mercury pollution are just two of the negative ecological and social effects of illegal and informal gold mining in the Amazon.
  • Illegal Logging. Not only does illegal logging destroy the Amazon rainforest, but “selective logging” of valuable tree species damages the interdependent ecosystems of the tropical jungle.
  • Poorly-Planned Infrastructure. Poorly designed roads give access to far-flung woods, escalating the pace and scope of pressure on the Amazon environs.
  • Fires. As forests are cut down and burned to make space for ranching and farming, fire—a latent indication of deforestation—can easily spiral out of hand. Fires destroyed over 20 million acres of the Amazon just in 2019.
  • Lack of Sufficient Governance. Poor decision-making on crucial topics has resulted from inadequate natural resource management and governance, coupled with excessive demand for the region’s
    natural resources.

Amazon Rainforest Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Amazon Rainforest across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Amazon Rainforest. The largest rainforest on Earth is found in the Amazon River Basin, which covers about 40% of the South American continent, roughly the size of the 48 contiguous United States.

Amazon Rainforest Worksheets
Amazon Rainforest Worksheets
Amazon Rainforest Worksheets

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Amazon Rainforest Facts
  2. Map-azon
  3. Amazon Truth
  4. Rainforest Twist
  5. Keepers of the Forest
  6. Shaman and Brahman
  7. Only in the Amazon
  8. Deforestation
  9. Save the Amazon Movement
  10. People are People
  11. Rain, Forest, Rain!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Amazon rainforest important?

The Amazon rainforest is important for several reasons. It is the largest rainforest in the world, covering an area of approximately 6.7 million square kilometers. It is also home to a vast array of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. The Amazon rainforest is also a critical component of the global climate system, as it absorbs carbon dioxide and produces oxygen through photosynthesis.

What are the main threats to the Amazon rainforest?

The main threats to the Amazon rainforest include deforestation, climate change, and illegal logging, mining, and hunting. Deforestation, in particular, is a major problem, as large areas of forest are cleared for agriculture, cattle ranching, and timber extraction. Climate change is also a concern, as rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns could disrupt the delicate balance of the rainforest ecosystem.

What are some of the plant and animal species found in the Amazon rainforest?

The Amazon rainforest is home to a vast array of plant and animal species. Some of the most iconic animals include jaguars, anacondas, capybaras, sloths, and monkeys. There are also over 2,500 species of fish in the Amazon River. In terms of plants, there are over 40,000 different species, including rubber trees, cacao trees, and Brazil nut trees.

How do indigenous communities in the Amazon rainforest rely on the forest for their livelihoods?

Indigenous communities in the Amazon rainforest rely on the forest for their livelihoods in a variety of ways. They often engage in subsistence agriculture, fishing, and hunting, using traditional knowledge and practices to sustain themselves. They also use a variety of forest products for medicinal and cultural purposes, such as traditional remedies and ceremonial objects.

What is being done to protect the Amazon rainforest?

Several organizations and governments are working to protect the Amazon rainforest. The Brazilian government, for example, has established protected areas and implemented policies to reduce deforestation. International organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund and Greenpeace also work to raise awareness about the importance of the rainforest and advocate for its protection. Additionally, there are many community-led conservation initiatives that work to protect the forest and its biodiversity.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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