Amazon River
The next stop in our trip around the world is the mighty Amazon River. It's the world's longest river, the largest river by discharge volume of water, and also has the world's largest watershed as well. The sheer size of this massive river and it's surrounding ecosystem is truly one of a kind. With unique sights such as the "Meeting of the Waters" - where the muddy Amazon meets the dark black Rio Negro alongside some of the world's most unique flora and fauna - it's truly one of the world's greatest natural wonders.
We'll be taking an in depth look at the Amazon's many wonders in today's update, as well as its watershed - starting with a look high in Peru's Cordillera Urubamba, where one of it's mighty headwaters, the Urubamba, can be found before it eventually drains into the Amazon River. It's just one more river of the many hundreds, if not thousands, of rivers that eventually drain into the Amazon and make it the world's largest watershed.
The Urubamba eventually drains into the Apurímac and Ucayali Rivers, which in turn drains into the Amazon and winds it's way around northern Peru - and number of small settlements and fishing villages can be found on it's banks. None are as impressive however as Iquitos, the largest city in the world unreachable by road. This inland port is partly located on land and on stilts in the city's Belen District - one of the region's most famous sights from above.
The Amazon River is home to all sorts of unique flora and fauna - and one of of the most famous species is none other than the Piranha. Known for their razor-sharp teeth and relentless bite, there's been reports of them eating tourists and locals alive - so you'll want to make sure to watch your step and where you're going along these waters.
We continue our journey by boat until we've reached the heart of the Amazon - and it's also home to one of the Amazon River's most unique wonders, the "Meeting of the Waters". The Meeting of Waters is the confluence between the dark Rio Negro and the pale sandy-colored Amazon River, referred to as the Solimões River in Brazil upriver of this confluence. For 6 km the two rivers' waters run side by side without much mixing - making for a one of a kind sight. It is one of the main tourist attractions near Manaus - which we'll be visiting next.
The Amazon River and it's basin is filled with thousands of undulating and curving tributaries that snake their way towards the mighty Amazon River. Here we see a few scenes from some typical tributaries as they wind their way through the Amazon as we continue our journey towards the Atlantic Ocean.
The Amazon River and it's impressive watershed from high above - it's truly one of the Earth's most breathtaking natural wonders.
Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already!
-korver
-
11


0 Comments
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Sign In or register to comment...
To comment in reply, you must be a community member
Sign In
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In NowCreate an Account
Sign up to join our friendly community. It's easy!
Register a New Account