The Amazon is the longest river in the whole globe. Its waters carry one fifth of the total supply of fresh water on earth. This majestic river is formed from the confluence of two small water arteries - Maranion and Ukayali. Their origins are located in the Andes mountain range.
Where does the Amazon go? General characteristics of the river
The length of the river, according to various estimates, ranges from 6,259 to 6,800 km. It is believed that the river was named by the Spanish conquerors in honor of the brave warriors who fought on the banks of this river along with the Indian tribes. The Spaniards, seeing fearless women, recalled the legend of brave mythological Amazons, so the river received its name. The conquistadors did not know where the Amazon begins and where it flows, but even then the river impressed them with its power and grandeur, recalling the legendary warlike women.
When the dry season begins, the width of the Amazon decreases to 11 km in width, and covers about 110,000 km 2 of water. In the rainy season, the territory increases approximately three times. The mouth of the Amazon is the largest in the world. The width of its delta is 325 km. From the point where the Amazon flows into the Atlantic Ocean, and two-thirds of the length of the channel (about 4300 km), the river is navigable.
The river is an extensive system of forests and rivers that extends to Brazil. The Amazon has the deepest basin on the entire planet - 7.2 million km 2 . The length of the Maranion River, which gives rise to the Amazon, is about 1,700 km, and Ukayali is more than 1,600 km.
For ordinary travelers, the question “Where does the origin of the river flow, where does the Amazon River flow?” may be difficult. The depth of the river at Obidus reaches 135 m - approximately the same as at the Baltic Sea. With all its many tributaries, the Amazon forms a gigantic water system, the total length of which is about 25,000 km.
Where does the Amazon begin and where does it flow?
Researchers still have not come to a consensus on what point is considered the beginning of the great Amazon. The Ukayali River, which generates the great river, is also formed by the confluence of two water arteries - Tambo and Urubamba. Their origins are located in the Central Andes. The length of the Ukayali River is about 1900 km. It is navigable up to the small town of Kumaria. The main river port is located in the Peruvian city of Pucallpa, separated from civilization.
Many scientists consider Ukayali to be the source of the Amazon. If we adhere to this point of view and include the length of Ukayali in the total length of the Amazon, then the length of the river will be about 7100 km. In other words, the Amazon will be 400 km longer than the Nile. But the generally accepted answer to the question "Where does the Amazon start and where does it flow?" The following is considered. The source of the river is the confluence of Ukayali and Maranion; mouth - Atlantic Ocean.
What is unusual Ukayali - the mother of the Amazon
An unusual pink dolphin is found in the Ukayali river . Its waters became home to the giant otter and the Amazonian manatee. The Ukayali river basin is still inhabited by Indian tribes who do not have contact with the civilized world. In wooden barrels, they prepare an intoxicating cassava drink that tastes like beer - masatu. Indians are well aware of the flora of the Amazon basin, herbs are used for medicinal purposes.
Amazon delta
The river delta occupies about 100,000 km 2 . This place is home to a large number of freshwater sharks. The presence of these predators is due to the fact that from the point where the Amazon flows into the ocean and another 300 km. from the mouth, the salt water of the Atlantic is diluted with fresh river waters. Dangerous fish rise along the river for 3,500 km.
The delta is dotted with straits and islands. The mouth itself does not protrude into the ocean, but, on the contrary, goes deep into the continent, due to strong ocean tides. "Sea-river" - this is the name of the locals in the mouth of the Amazon. So where does the Amazon flow into? The Atlantic Ocean is its full owner in its delta. Researchers conditionally divided the mouth of the Amazon into three main branches, but in fact its territory is covered with innumerable branches.
What was the name of the Amazon in the past?
On the shores of the Amazon, Aborigines have settled since ancient times. They knew well where the Amazon River flows, and used this advantage for shipping and trade. One of the first inhabitants of Europe who visited this territory is the merchant and navigator Amerigo Vespucci. In those days, the river bore a slightly different name - "Santa Maria of the Fresh Sea."
Pororoka - inexorable element of the river delta
We have already figured out where the Amazon flows into the ocean. During high tides, a so-called viciousness forms here, which means “rattling water” in Indian language. This noise is born from the stormy meeting of the mighty waters of a huge river with ocean waters. As a result of the collision of waters, it forms a gigantic shaft that rushes in the direction against the Amazon, destroying any obstacles in its path.
The territory of the Atlantic, where the Amazon River flows, often forms huge tidal waves. The vice is so strong that it can turn any small vessel upside down. The waves reach more than 4 m in height and do not subside within thirty minutes. All the neighborhoods towards the upper river are destroyed and devastated by powerful waves that rush at a speed of 25 km / h. The natives of the Amazon coast consider the vice to be a living and merciless spirit that protects the river.