HUARAZ – ANCASH

JANUARY 2013

«SANTIAGO ANTÚNEZ DE MAYOLO»

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

LENGUAGE CENTER

BÁSICO : INTENSIVO

TOPIC : AMAZON RIVER

STUDENT : JAMANCA ASENCIOS MAURICIO

TEACHER : ALEJO PEREZ VLADIMIR

INTRODUCTION

The Amazon River has considerable importance in the most varied fields of science and

humanities. The region of influence of the river, known as Amazon is the largest rainforest

in the world and consequently, the main source of oxygen to the atmosphere. Also, the

urban and rural population found in the Amazon basin includes several million people

comprising 9 countries.

It is a region with great potential in the rational development of the different ecosystems

without destroying the forest and aquatic resources.

Only a percentage of the thousands of species of plants and animals that inhabit the

Amazon is known to science, but those species that have been studied in depth have

provided important food materials, medicinal and commercial products. The great richness

and variety of the Amazon basin in terms of plants and animals is the largest resource

potential of global importance.

The Amazon is the area of greatest biodiversity in the world, is now the victim of

deforestation, illegal mining, poaching and climate change, we must change that situation,

so I present this work to raise awareness, knowing and loving our country and the Amazon,

one of the most important places on earth.

THE AMAZON RIVER

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

The Amazon River is located in central and northwestern of South America, in the

American continent. It is one of the longest rivers in the world. Its water travels through

Peru and Brazil. It is part of the border between Colombia and Peru. Has tributaries in

Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia. In Loreto region, the Amazon River runs from

west to east, the water flows from south to north in the Andean zone of Peru. The Amazon

is the longest river, the largest river, wider and deeper, and also drains the largest basin on

Earth, occupying 40% of the area of South America and 5% of the earth. It was discovered

on February 12th, 1542 by the Spanish explorer Francisco de Orellana. Properly called

Amazon from the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañón rivers, which runs about 680 km

in Peruvian territory.

ORIGIN THEORIES

The origin of the Amazon River is located in the ravine of the river Apacheta, on the slopes

of the snowy Quehuisha, Cailloma province in the Arequipa region, at 5170 meters above

sea level, to its mouth in the Atlantic Ocean. This river has a length of 7062 km. It has 391

kilometers more than the Nile River, in the African continent, which is 6671 km, according

Zaniel Goicochea Novoa, President of the Geographical Society of Lima, and the Polish

journalist and explorer Jacek Palkiewicz, who in 1996 led a multinational expedition to the

source of the Amazon. It was established that measurement, which after 12 years was

validated by major entities of the international scientific community. These included the

Geographical Society of London, the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Brazilian

Institute for Space Research. Eliminating the theory of National Geographic magazine that

according to a study conducted by a team of five countries expedition organized by the

National Geographic Society, which says that this river would have its origin in the snowy

Mismi, also in the Arequipa region, changing history of the Nile as the longest in the

world, occupying only 10% of the area of Africa.

BIODIVERSITY

It is home to many animals and plants; is the home of three hundred species of mammals,

thousands of freshwater fish, ten thousands of trees and a hundred thousand plant species,

also there are so many species insects.

The largest mammal is the manatee, is a peaceful animal and its diet consists of aquatic

grasses. This animal can weigh up to 500 kilos. The Manatees are fully aquatic, known as

sea cows. This mammal sleeps in the water by day, reach the surface for air regularly at

intervals of 20 minutes. Manatees spend most of their time grazing in shallow water.

Another famous mammal is the pink dolphin is also known as the boto, bufeo or tonina.

The body color varies with age. Newborns are dark gray in adolescence are light gray and

adults turn pink. There are many different legends and myths about Amazon Pink Dolphin,

because Amazon mythology is as wide and varied as is his jungle.

Arapaima, Pirarucú or Paiche is a species of fish that inhabits the Amazon River. It is the

largest in size of the region and considered the largest freshwater fish in the world. This

fish can be up to 3 meters long and weigh more than 200 kilograms.

The anaconda is the largest snake in the world. It is a type of boa constrictor strangling its

prey whole and then devours. It has the property to grow throughout life, reaching up to 10

meters long and weighing 150 kilos.

The Jaguar also known as Otorongo is the largest cat in America, is a good swimmer and

climb trees easily. This cat lives alone in the woods. Not pursue their prey, the hunt by

ambush, using the technique of deep bite in the neck to cause asphyxiation prey.

The Papagayos are commonly called guacamayos or parrots. They feed on fruits, seeds,

leaves and grass. Recognized for their colorful plumage. These birds are grouped by

hundreds on the banks of rivers to feed on clay minerals. Minerals help these birds to

process the toxins found in the seeds with which they feed. We can see them flying in

pairs. They build their nests in the highest and mate for life.

A very famous and important plant of this river is the Victoria amazonica, also called

Victoria Regia, is the largest water lily. It is characterized by large circular leaves up to 1

meter in diameter that floats on the water surface on submerged stems that reach up to 8

meters long. Can support up to 40 kilos if the weight is evenly distributed on the surface.

The flower, which measures up to 40 inches in diameter, opens at dusk, from six in the

evening.

ETHNIC GROUPS

There are 65 ethnic groups living in the Amazon of Peru 1458 forming communities, some

are: Jibaro Huitoto, Arawak, Machiguenga, Cahuapano, Boras, etc. These indigenous

groups have more than 13 language families. They are located in the departments as

Huánuco, Cusco, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Amazonas, San Martin, Ucayali and others.

Some groups make handicrafts and souvenirs to sell to tourists coming to the boats.

These native groups not currently entirely dependent on traditional hunting and fishing,

and collecting wild vegetables and fruits, serve as a supplementary food source.

Some communities allow travelers know their dances, crafts and all the typical customs.

The ethnic groups of the Huitotos and Boras are some of them. These ethnic groups allows

days together with them. One of the most complete trip to see the Peruvian Amazon, is the

circuit that runs two major National Parks of Peru, Manu and Tambopata, famous for their

high biodiversity. Observed large numbers of animals and a deep and harmonious contact

with the native cultures of the jungle.

IMPORTANCE

On August 13rd

in this year our Amazon River was declared as one of the seven natural

wonders of the world for the New 7 Wonders Foundation. This award Peru has two awards

worldwide. In 2007 a similar statement was given to Machu Picchu. The Amazon River is

an important water reservoir for Peru in the present and future, the air we breathe is

purified mainly in the Amazon and especially has a unique biodiversity.

The biodiversity of the Amazon is also considered the larger worldwide, has animal and

plant species that could even surpass that described for the oceans. The importance of the

Amazon basin covers immediate livelihood needs of humanity (water, oxygenation of the

environment, forestry) and is defined as a fundamental element of the biosphere can not be

compared with any other known ecosystem.

High temperatures favor the development of a dense and lush vegetation, evergreen. The

title of the lungs of the planet that holds the Amazon is no coincidence, and that balances

climate. Environmental scientists agree that the loss of biodiversity is a result of the

destruction of the forest. All South American tropical flora is present in the Amazon

Rainforest. There are countless species of plants she still unclassified, thousands of species

of birds, amphibians and countless millions of insects.

The Peruvian Amazon is one of the most biologically rich regions of the world, since the

presence of different altitudes that has at its junction with the Andes, creates lots of

particular environments and, therefore, a high index of endemism.

CONCLUSION

The Amazon River, today named one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, is a very

important water reserve for Peru both present and in the future to address possible

shortages of water on the planet, 98% of all the available of water in our country is in the

Amazon basin. The Amazon is important not only for water but also by the rich flora and

fauna that has, as protected areas.

The Amazon Basin today has two major challenges: firstly the maintenance of water

quality for the benefit of the health of the population and on the other, the conservation of

the species and its habitat. Their protection and conservation is of importance and benefit

of all humanity and the planet.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Portal diario PERÚ 21: “CONFIRMAN EL ORIGEN DEL RÍO AMAZONAS” En:

http://peru21.pe/noticia/676980/confirman-origen-rio-amazonas. [1 pág.] En línea:

Martes 30 de noviembre del 2010. Consultado 30, Octubre 2012.

Blog: Fitzgerald, Eamonn “ANNOUNCING THE PROVISIONAL NEW7WONDERS

OF NATURE” http://news.n7w.com/2011/11/12/the-announcement-of-the-provisional-

new7wonders-of-nature/ [2 pág.] En línea: 12 de Noviembre del 2011. Consultado 12,

diciembre 2012.

Revista virtual: DYK, Jere. "THE AMAZON: SOUTH AMERICA'S RIVER ROAD,"

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0308/feature1/

Autor; National Geographic. [2 pág.] En línea: Febrero 12 de 2000. Consultado 27,

Noviembre 2012.

ANNEXES