The Amazon, one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, extends over about 40% of South America and passes through 9 countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela and French Guiana.
Representing two-thirds of Brazil’s natural forests and covering almost 50% of the country’s territory, the Amazon is the largest biome in the country. With an area of approximately 421 million hectares, it is the largest tropical forest in the world and is home to a vast biodiversity.
Celebrated on September 5, Amazon Day seeks to raise araise about the need to preserve the biome, one of humanity’s most valuable natural heritages. In August 2024 alone, the forest recorded more than 38,000 fires. The smoke from the fires in the Amazon has affected several municipalities in northern Brazil.
Specialists assure that the Amazon is essential for climate balance and the forest contributes to the maintenance and distribution of humidity throughout the continent.
Forest trees absorb water from the soil for its metabolism in all parts of the plant. The water is transported to the leaves, where it is released into the atmosphere in the form of steam. This steam, concentrated on the treetops, combined with the moisture coming from the oceans, forms what we know as “flying rivers”, responsible for distributing the accumulated moisture. This phenomenon creates interesting situations, such as the absence of deserts east of the Andes, for example, where the presence of desert formations similar to those of other continents could be expected.
According to surveys conducted by Mapabiomas, between 1985 and 2022, the net loss of forest cover in the Amazon was 67.4 million hectares (15.2%).
Stopping the advance of deforestment, pollution in all areas, and fighting for the care of the Amazon and the environment in general, is everyone’s responsibility and is the best thing everyone can do, in pursuit of global well-being.