The Amazon

            Did you know that the Amazon consists of around 54% of all rain forests left on earth to this very day? Located in South America, the Amazon rain forest covers a remarkable 2.5 square miles that en-covers nine surrounding countries. Many native populations still inhabit the amazon to this very date using plants that have not been studied yet. The vast amount of biodiversity and life in the rain forest is made possible by the mighty Amazon River. This majestic river flows from the Andes mountain range to the Atlantic ocean off the coast of Brazil. The name " lungs of the planet"  is given to the forest because over 20% of earths oxygen is created there. This is because in just one hectare there can be roughly 750 different species of trees and 1500 different types of plants. The amazon also includes the highest level of biodiversity in any ecosystem on the planet. An example of this is that the Amazon contains 2000 different types of fish. This type of variety is found no where else in the world. Be sure to bring you're bug repellent however, because nearly half of the entire worlds insect population inhabits this area. The Amazon can also save many lives through the developments of cancer research from the extracts of many vegetation species. A picture of the mangroves at the bank of the Amazon river







This is a close up picture of a butterfly that would be typically found in the Amazon



References: http://www.unique-southamerica-travel-experience.com/amazon-rainforest-facts.html