The Amazon is the largest forest region and basin in the world. For its 6.9 million square kilometers in nine South American countries (Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana) spreads a biodiversity unparalleled.
The region is home to about 2.5 million insect species, tens of thousands of plants and some 2,000 birds and mammals. To date, at least 40,000 plant species, 3,000 fish, 1,294 birds, 427 mammals, 428 amphibians and 378 reptiles have been scientifically classified in the region. One in five of all birds in the world live in the rainforests of the Amazon. Cut by the Equator, Amazon has the predominant Equatorial climate, hot and humid, with annual temperatures ranging between 21 º C and 42 º C.
The rains are abundant, with average annual precipitation ranging from 1500 mm to 1700 mm and can exceed 3 000 mm at the mouth of the Amazon River and the coast of Amapá. The rainy season lasts six months. Lately, Amazon has been devastated for planting soybeans and due to the expansion of cattle ranching in the borders and territories of municipalities provincials.
The Amazonian waters have different characteristics, resulting from the geology of its watershed. Rivers called white water rivers, muddy or cloudy as the Solimões, Madeira and Amazon, traverse lands rich in minerals and organic suspensions. Rivers called black water, like the Negro, from sandy soils poor in minerals, are transparent and colored brown by humic substances. There are also clear water rivers, such as the Tapajos, which arise in the areas of ancient continental shields, too poor in minerals and nutrients.
Considering the navigable stretches for small vessels and its main tributaries, the Amazon basin has a network of 25,000 km of waterways. Besides the rivers and their tributaries, the hydrology of the region reserves still the two largest river islands in the world: Anavilhanas and Mariuá.
The northern boundary of the Amazon Basin is the Guyana Plateau, while its southern boundary is the Brazilian Highlands. To the west of the Andes located the source of the Amazon, which in Peruvian territory is called Marañon (when entering Brazil, is called Solimões).
Much of the land area of the Amazon rain forest consists of dry land forests where trees stand out from 30 to 60 feet tall. This is a forest that is flooded and almost never spreads over a great plain of up to 130-200 meters, to the foothills. The great plain corresponds to sediments left by the lake "Belterra" which occupied most of the Amazon Basin during the Miocene and Pliocene, between 25,000 and 1.8 million years ago.
Due to its inaccessibility, poor health and difficulties to exploit it economically, Amazon is one of the most sparsely populated areas of the globe is a Green Desert, belonging to a time when the Earth still dawning, housing a population of more primitive than known - Neolithic man in a pure state.
The Amazon is very well served by a variety of dishes and rich in flavors of Indian influence and the immense diversity of fruit trees can find absolutely unique flavors that delight the palate of anyone. Aromas unusual, unique flavors and shapes that delight the eye blend in Amazonian diversity and provide energy and vitamins to those who consume them. The Cupuacu has a very subtle flavor and unique, and its fruits can extract the pulp to make juices, candies, ice cream and other valuables. The acai berry, which became famous as powerful energy is consumed daily in the form of "wine." And the peach palm, grape Amazon, with its delicious fruits in clusters, protected by thorns of the tree trunk, can be eaten only after cooking. Regional cuisine is distinguished by huge offer dishes based on fish or fruit found only in this part of the planet. Each ingredient when combined with regional elements or results in the spice caboclo impossible not to taste the exotic charm of preparation. Spices like chili, hot peppers, the tucupi are essential. Fish can be baked, fried or baked. You only need to choose between the peacock bass, tambaqui the jaraqui or cod Amazon, the delicious arapaima, among many others appreciated the specific complement: a flour Uarini.
The component parts of the Amazonian crafts are rich in detail Indians. Ceramics, necklaces, bracelets, housewares, and a multitude of other decorative pieces can be enjoyed and purchased. Local handicrafts is directly linked to elements of the local culture, and even the raw material used to produce the parts come from the forest, such as seeds, fibers, wood, or clay to make ceramic pieces. All enjoyed by artisans with creativity, originality and beauty, resulting in beautiful products for sale.
Folklore is one of the manifestations of popular culture. And Amazon has a rich folklore with their legends, myths, popular songs, poetry, dances, which are part of the charm and imagination of tourists and residents from throughout the region.