The Amazon Rainforest, often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth,” is the largest tropical rainforest in the world, covering approximately 2.1 million square miles (5.5 million square kilometers). It spans across nine countries in South America, making it one of the most diverse and complex ecosystems on the planet. The Amazon basin accounts for about 40% of South America’s landmass and contains more than half of the world’s remaining rainforests.
Countries Sharing the Amazon Rainforest
- Brazil
Brazil holds the largest portion of the Amazon Rainforest, covering approximately 60% of the entire forest. The Brazilian Amazon spans over 1.2 million square miles (3.2 million square kilometers). Known as “Amazônia Legal,” this region is critical for biodiversity and climate regulation. The rainforest in Brazil is home to a variety of indigenous groups and some of the most biodiverse ecosystems, containing over 400 billion trees representing 16,000 species. However, Brazil has also been at the center of deforestation concerns due to agriculture, logging, and mining activities. - Peru
Peru contains the second-largest portion of the Amazon Rainforest, accounting for around 13% of the forest. The Peruvian Amazon covers nearly 300,000 square miles (780,000 square kilometers). This region is home to the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, one of the largest protected areas in Peru. Rich in biodiversity, the Peruvian Amazon is known for its unique wildlife, including jaguars, giant river otters, and pink river dolphins. Despite efforts to protect this region, illegal logging and oil exploration pose significant threats. - Colombia
Colombia holds about 6% of the Amazon Rainforest, covering an area of approximately 170,000 square miles (440,000 square kilometers). The Colombian Amazon is a biodiversity hotspot, harboring thousands of species of plants and animals. The region is also home to many indigenous communities who depend on the forest for their livelihoods. In recent years, Colombia has strengthened its conservation efforts, although deforestation and illegal activities remain challenges. - Venezuela
Venezuela has around 6% of the Amazon Rainforest, with a coverage area of about 124,000 square miles (320,000 square kilometers). The Venezuelan Amazon, known as “Amazonas State,” is home to the Guiana Shield, one of the oldest geological formations on Earth. The region is less deforested than other parts of the Amazon, but pressures from mining and logging have increased in recent decades. - Bolivia
Bolivia’s Amazon Rainforest occupies roughly 5.5% of the entire Amazon, covering about 172,000 square miles (445,000 square kilometers). The Bolivian Amazon is known for its rich ecosystems and indigenous populations. The Madidi National Park, one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, is located within Bolivia’s Amazon region. Like other countries, Bolivia faces challenges such as deforestation due to agriculture and cattle ranching. - Ecuador
Ecuador contains about 2% of the Amazon Rainforest, with an area of around 51,000 square miles (132,000 square kilometers). Despite its relatively small portion, Ecuador’s Amazon is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, particularly within the Yasuni National Park. The Ecuadorian government has made significant efforts to protect this area, though oil exploration in the region continues to threaten its integrity. - Guyana
Guyana holds about 3% of the Amazon Rainforest, covering an area of 83,000 square miles (216,000 square kilometers). Though the least populated of the Amazon countries, Guyana’s forests are vital for global carbon storage and biodiversity. The country has been praised for its low deforestation rates and commitment to sustainable forest management. - Suriname
Suriname has about 2% of the Amazon Rainforest, encompassing approximately 64,000 square miles (165,000 square kilometers). The forest in Suriname is among the least disturbed by human activities, with much of its rainforest remaining intact. Suriname’s low population density and strong conservation policies have contributed to the preservation of its section of the Amazon. - French Guiana
As an overseas department of France, French Guiana holds about 1.5% of the Amazon Rainforest, covering around 33,000 square miles (85,000 square kilometers). French Guiana is known for its well-preserved ecosystems, largely due to strict environmental laws enforced by France. The region is part of the Guiana Shield and is home to a wide array of plant and animal species.
Ecological Importance
The Amazon Rainforest is home to an estimated 390 billion individual trees, representing over 16,000 species. It is the most biodiverse rainforest in the world, containing 10% of all known species on Earth. The Amazon also plays a crucial role in the global carbon cycle, absorbing around 2 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually. However, deforestation and climate change are threatening this balance, potentially turning the Amazon from a carbon sink into a carbon source.
Deforestation and Conservation
Deforestation is one of the most pressing issues affecting the Amazon Rainforest. It is driven by a combination of agricultural expansion, logging, mining, and infrastructure development. Brazil, in particular, has seen a significant rise in deforestation rates, with over 3,300 square miles (8,500 square kilometers) cleared in 2021 alone. This loss of forest cover leads to biodiversity decline, changes in rainfall patterns, and an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
Conservation efforts are underway across all countries that share the Amazon. Protected areas, such as national parks and reserves, aim to curb deforestation and preserve the forest’s biodiversity. For example, the Yasuni National Park in Ecuador and the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in Peru are among the largest protected areas in the region. International initiatives, such as the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO), also work to promote sustainable development and conservation across the Amazon countries.
Indigenous Communities
The Amazon Rainforest is home to approximately 400 indigenous groups, many of whom rely on the forest for their way of life. These communities have historically acted as stewards of the land, using their knowledge to sustainably manage the resources. Indigenous territories often have lower deforestation rates compared to other parts of the Amazon, highlighting the crucial role these communities play in preserving the forest. However, indigenous groups face growing threats from land encroachment, resource extraction, and legal battles over their land rights.
The Amazon Rainforest is shared by nine countries, with Brazil holding the largest portion, followed by Peru, Colombia, and others. This vast region is critical to global biodiversity, climate regulation, and the livelihoods of millions of people, including indigenous communities. However, the Amazon faces growing threats from deforestation, climate change, and industrial activities. While efforts to protect this unique ecosystem are ongoing, continued international cooperation and sustainable practices will be essential to safeguard the future of the Amazon.
