The Amazon Rainforest

Quick Facts

• Known as the "Lungs of the Earth" because billions of trees absorb tons of carbon dioxide every year and slow down the climate change along with producing 20% of earth's oxygen.

• The Amazon is a huge hotspot for biodiversity.

• The Amazon Rainforest is home to the world’s mightiest river, the Amazon River.

• Covering over 5.5 million square kilometres, the Amazon is so big that the UK and Ireland would fit into it 17 times.

• The Amazon is home to:

- 40,000 plant species - 1,000+ amphibians - 400+ reptiles

- 16,000 tree species - 430+ mammals

- 3,000 fish species - 1,300 birds

As described in the name, the Amazon Rainforest is classified as a part of the rainforest biome, although it can be classified as a tropical rainforest.