Explore the Wonders of the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest
Uncover the Mysteries of the Amazon River
Vast Expanse
The Peruvian Amazon encompasses a staggering 60% of the country’s landmass, yet only approximately 5% of its population calls this lush paradise home.
Remarkable Biodiversity
The Amazon Rainforest boasts an unparalleled diversity of plant and animal species, surpassing all other terrestrial ecosystems on Earth. Its biodiversity is truly astounding: a single shrub in the Amazon may host more species of ants than the entire British Isles, while just one hectare of forest can house over 480 species of trees. Notably, the Peruvian Amazon is home to the world’s largest number of bird species and ranks third in terms of mammal diversity.
The Origin of Its Name
The name “Pacaya Samiria” is derived from the rivers that flow through its heart: the Pacaya River basin, the Samiria River basin, and the Yanayacu-Pucate River basin.
Clasificación única
Although situated within the tropical Amazon Rainforest, this region’s natural characteristics resemble those of a flooded forest.
Diversa Flora y Fauna
Within the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve alone (as opposed to the entire Peruvian Amazon), you can encounter an astonishing array of wildlife, including 132 types of mammals, 527 varieties of birds, 120 species of reptiles, 250 types of fish, and a staggering 1024 wild and cultivated plant species organized into 118 families, which even include 22 types of orchids.
Comunidades indígenas
The indigenous populations of the Amazon have thrived in this tropical environment for millennia. Their lifestyle and culture are intricately adapted to their surroundings, and contrary to misconceptions, their survival methods have minimal environmental impact. Their daily lives revolve around sustainable practices such as fishing, small-scale agriculture, hunting, and gathering.
La fuente de su nombre
The name “Amazon Rainforest” is derived from the Amazon River, the lifeblood of the Amazonian region, which ultimately meets the Atlantic Ocean at Belem do Para in Brazil.
Longitud asombrosa
The Amazon River, the principal waterway of this remarkable region, stretches an impressive 6,440 kilometers (4,080 miles), accounting for a fifth of the world’s total river flow into the ocean.
Magnífica Distribución
An astonishing 28 billion gallons of Amazonian waters flow into the Atlantic Ocean each minute, significantly diluting the ocean’s salinity for over 100 miles offshore. During the high-water season, a staggering 500 billion cubic feet of water pour into the Atlantic daily. To put this in perspective, the river’s discharge during this period could meet the freshwater needs of New York City for nine years!
Volumen inigualable
The Amazon River carries more water by volume than the combined flow of the top 10 largest rivers that empty into the Atlantic Ocean. It outpaces the Congo River in Central Africa by a factor of five and surpasses the Mississippi River in the USA by a staggering 12-fold.
Profundidad profunda
The river reaches its deepest point near the Atlantic Ocean, plunging to approximately 37 meters (121 feet) in depth.
Fuentes abundantes
With over 1,100 tributaries, the Amazon River boasts a complex network of waterways, 17 of which extend nearly 1,000 miles.
Apariencia única
The Amazon’s rivers transport copious amounts of suspended sediment from the Andes, giving the water a distinctively turbid, whitewater appearance.