The Amazon Basin extends across an area of about 7 milion square kilometres crossing several countries.

Half of the rainforest lies in Brazil. The rest is spread acrss Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana and Suriname.

It is thought that about 200,000 indigenous people live in the area. Their diverse cultures could be lost.

Many small groups of people call the Amazon home, such as Yanomami (pictured left). These groups are in danger of losing their way of life, and with it, a huge amount of knowledge about the forest and its plants will be lost.

Animals

Facts about animals In the Amazon lives about 2,000 of animals!The animals are river dolphins, jaguars, anacondas,

monkeys, parots, sloths and colorful butterflies. The Amazon is home to a whole host of fascinating

creatures, including electric eels, flesh eatingpiranhas, poison dart frogs, jaguars and someseriously venomous snakes.

PlantsThe Amazon Rainforest's 1,500 different flowering plants and 750 types of trees can all be found in one four square mile area.

The flora of the Amazon contain ingredients used in making herbal medicines.

by Oliwia Fiedorowicz