where is amazon forest found

When you picture the Amazon forest, you likely imagine a vast, endless sea of green. It’s a place teeming with life, from the calls of howler monkeys to the silent glide of a jaguar. But have you ever wondered exactly where this magnificent natural wonder is located on the map? Knowing its home is the first step to appreciating its sheer scale and global importance.

The Countries That Share the Amazon Basin

The Amazon forest isn’t contained within a single nation. Instead, it sprawls across the northern part of South America, primarily within the massive Amazon River Basin. The majority of the forest, a whopping 60%, is found within Brazil. This makes Brazil the primary custodian of this incredible ecosystem. However, the forest extends into eight other countries: Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. Each of these nations holds a vital piece of the Amazon puzzle.

A Continent-Spanning Expanse of Green

To grasp its size, imagine that the Amazon rainforest covers approximately 2.7 million square miles. That’s nearly the size of the contiguous United States! It’s not just a collection of trees; it’s a complex network of rivers, flooded forests, and towering canopies that creates its own weather patterns and influences the entire planet’s climate.

Why Its Location Matters for the Planet

The placement of the Amazon in the heart of South America is crucial for everyone. Often called the “lungs of the planet,” the forest absorbs enormous amounts of carbon dioxide and releases oxygen. Its location also makes it a hotspot of biodiversity, housing one in ten of all known species on Earth. The health of this forest, found so far away for many, directly impacts global weather, climate stability, and the survival of countless unique plants and animals.

So, the next time you hear about the Amazon, you can picture it as a continental treasure, shared by nine nations and cherished by the entire world. Its location is a reminder that this is a global resource, and its preservation is a responsibility we all share.