Boasting a wealth of plant and animal life, a completely unique biosphere and one of the most stunning landscapes in the world, it’s no wonder that the Amazon Peru is one of the most fascinating regions on earth.
But do you really know just how extraordinary it is? Here are the top ten Amazon Peru facts to help you find out.
Though it runs for over 4,000 miles across the South American continent, the Amazon River actually rises in Peru. The exact location is disputed though most experts agree that it springs from a peak named Nevado Mismi, high up in the Peruvian Andes.
Though the Amazon may be the second longest river in the world (only the Nile is longer) it contains more water than the next seven longest rivers combined, discharging around 6,591 cubic kilometers of water per year into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Amazon Peru covers around 60% of the country’s surface, yet only 5% of Peruvians live in the Amazon area.
However, their habitats are being threatened by deforestation and climate change.
With a population of around 422,000, Iquitos is the largest city in the Peruvian Amazon, making it the ideal starting point for Amazon jungle expeditions.
Around 80% of the food we eat today originated in the rainforest including coffee, chocolate and potatoes.
Due to deforestation about 137 plant, animal and insect species are becoming extinct everyday in the Amazon. That’s about 50,000 per year.
A staggering one in four of our Western medicines have ingredients that originate in the Amazon Rainforest. And around 70% of the cancer fighting plants discovered by scientists can be found only in the Amazon.
The Amazon Rainforest is home to a whopping 40,000 plant species. Although the number could be a lot higher as many are still undiscovered.
If the rate of deforestation continues, the Amazon will be gone in just 40 years.
The Amazon Peru is truly one of the most unique places on earth, so why not
book your visit now and make this year’s summer holiday one to remember?
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