Special Photgraphy/Into the Amazon Rainforest

The “lungs of our planet” have been attributed to the Amazon rainforest, also known as Amazonia. This Amazon jungle, or the Amazon basin in South America, covers over 1.7 billion acres acres (7,000,000 square kilometers); the actual tropical rainforest is spread over 1.4 billion acres and 9 countries: Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. 60% of the Amazon jungle is contained within Brazil. The Amazon represents over half the remaining rainforests worldwide and contains the largest and most species-rich tropical forest system on our planet. Amazonia grew around the Amazon River which is the longest river, the largest river, and the basin has the largest area in the world. The Amazon River has total flow greater than the top ten world’s rivers combined. The biodiversity of this wet tropical forest could boggle the brain; one in ten animal species lives here and it is the largest collection of living plants on the globe . . . and much of the Amazon is still unexplored. It definitely should be protected for the tropical jungle paradise may hold the keys, yet to be discovered, to cure countless diseases.

A Yagua (Yahua) tribeman demonstrating the use of blowgun (blow dart), at one of the Amazonian ‘islands’. (Photo by JialiangGao www.peace-on-earth.org)

The photographer wrote of the ‘Wild Boy’, “His eyes reflects the nostalgia of an almost extinct World. Wearing an Amazon Toucan, traditionally used only for the sacred dances and very special moments, this boy is learning from the Shamans the traditional dances of the Kotococha culture, a knowledge which is only transmitted from the shaman to the few chosen by word of mouth. Origin: Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest, Kotococha tribe.” (Photo by Gustavo Morejón)

Monkeys hanging out in the tropical jungle. (Photo  by Worldwide Happy Media)

You might see a Tupi ‘red bird,’ also known as the scarlet ibis, one of the most beautiful Brazilian birds, because of the color of their plumage. (Photo by J.Gil Photography)

The biodiversity in these wet tropical forests is mind-blowing. It is home to the largest collection of living plant and animal species in the world. One in ten known species on this planet lives in the Amazon Rainforest. Amazonia is home to around 2.5 million insect species, tens of thousands of plants, and more than 2,000 birds and mammals. So far, at least 40,000 plant species, 2,200 fishes, 1,294 birds, 427 mammals, 428 amphibians, and 378 reptiles have been scientifically classified within this region. One in five of all bird and fish species live here. The Scarlet Macaws above are indigenous to the American tropics. The photographer wrote, “Red-and-Green Macaws DO grow on trees in the Amazon.” (Photo by Billtacular)

Or you might see an Amazonian ‘Godzilla.’ Photo  by Laurent

 In Amazonia, you might even stumble upon an Emerald Boa. Eek! (Photo by Free Pet Wallpapers)

Looking down at the ‘lungs of the planet.’ (Photo  by Wallpapers Diq)

The photographer explained, “On the Tambopata River in the Peruivan Amazon Rainforest, a group of kids play football on a tiny sand island in the middle of the river.” (Photo by Mike Cooper)

Toucan, the earl of Amazonia.(Photo Tambako the Jaguar)

Amazonian Sunset.( Photo by New7Wonders of Nature)

Native village of Chipitiere, in the Cultural Zone of Manu National Park, Peru. (Photo by Martin St-Amant)

Amazon Poison Dartfrog, also known as the Reticulated Poison Frog, can be found at the inflows of the 

Amazon River in Peru live high up in the rainforest. The photographer also noted that these very little beauties are only about 15-20 mm in size. (Photo by Dominik Hofer)

Brazilian Amazon. (Photo  by Горящий тур)