The Amazon River is recognized globally as the largest river by discharge volume and the second-longest river system in the world. Its immense scale shapes a significant portion of the South American continent, supporting a vast ecosystem and underscoring its importance as a natural wonder.
The Amazon River’s Path
The main channel of the Amazon River flows primarily through Peru, Colombia, and Brazil. Its journey begins high in the Andes Mountains of Peru, where headwaters like the Apurímac and Mantaro rivers converge to form larger tributaries such as the Ucayali and Marañón. These eventually unite near Iquitos, Peru, to officially become the Amazon River, making Iquitos a significant inland port accessible to large ships.
From Peru, the river continues eastward, briefly forming a section of the border between Peru and Colombia. This shared border region is known as Tres Fronteras, encompassing cities like Leticia (Colombia), Tabatinga (Brazil), and Santa Rosa de Yavari (Peru). The river then flows extensively through Brazil, often called the Solimões River, before its confluence with the Rio Negro near Manaus. Roughly two-thirds of the Amazon’s main stream flows through Brazilian territory before reaching the Atlantic Ocean.
Countries of the Amazon Basin
While the main Amazon River traverses a few countries, its vast drainage basin extends across a much larger portion of South America. This expansive basin encompasses parts of nine nations and one overseas territory: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana (an overseas department of France), Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Brazil contains the largest share of the Amazon Basin and its rainforest. Peru contributes through the river’s Andean headwaters and a significant portion of its rainforest. Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Venezuela are part of the basin primarily through numerous tributaries and extensive rainforest coverage. Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana, though not directly touched by the main stem, have areas within the basin that contribute water through their own river networks.
The River’s Immense Scale
The Amazon River’s physical characteristics highlight its global significance. It is generally recognized as being at least 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles) long, making it either the longest or second-longest river on Earth.
Its discharge volume is unmatched globally, averaging approximately 215,000 to 230,000 cubic meters per second. This volume is greater than the next seven largest independent rivers combined and accounts for about 20% of all freshwater discharged into the world’s oceans. The Amazon’s width varies considerably, from 3 to 10 kilometers (2 to 6 miles) wide during the dry season and expanding to over 48 kilometers (30 miles) in certain areas during the wet season. The immense Amazon Basin, covering approximately 7 million square kilometers (2.7 million square miles), illustrates the river system’s vast reach and influence across the South American continent.