The Amazon Basin

The Amazon Basin is the largest drainage basin in the world, containing the Amazon River, and covering about 34% of the land of South America (about 2,300,000 square miles). It receives an average of 118 inches of rain a year. Approximately 1/5 of all freshwater runoff on Earth passes through this watershed. The Amazon Basin includes roughly 60% of the world’s rainforest and harbors 10% of earth’s known forms of life—including more than 40,000 plant species, 1,300 bird species, and several million species of insects and other invertebrates.

TRI-BORDER: PERU, COLOMBIA, BRAZIL

The Tri-Border area refers to the Tres Fronteras (Triple Frontier). This is the region where the borders of Peru, Colombia, and Brazil meet in the Amazon rainforest. This region is known for its unique atmosphere and for facing challenges related to environmental crime, drug trafficking, and recent diplomatic disputes. 414 Missions primarily serves the people who live in the jungle along the Amazon River, and adjoining tributaries of this area.

The Amazon River

  • The largest river in South America
  • The second longest river in the world
  • Originates in the high Andes Mountains of Peru
  • Empties into the Atlantic Ocean at a rapid rate of approximately 58 million gallons per second
  • River level fluctuates each year by 33-49 feet
  • Affects the Caribbean Sea level
  • Contains more species of fish than the Atlantic Ocean with some weighing around 400lbs
  • Is the main source of transportation of indigenous people
  • Is the main route for indigenous villages to receive food and supplies via ferry (lancha)

The Pink River Dolphin

    • The largest and the smartest of the five species of dolphins in the Amazon River
    • Males are the larger and distinctly pinker than the females
    • Can grow to 9ft, weigh up to 400lbs, and live to 30 yrs old
    • Enjoy playing in pods and sometimes, though rare, appear to put on a show when there is an abundance of food
    • Eat a variety of fish, crustaceans, and small river turtles