A panoramic look at Earth's most diverse ecosystem. The Amazon river
is fed by 1,000 named tributaries and as many anonymous ones. The
river system spans the South American continent from the Atlantic
Ocean to within 100 miles of the Pacific and drains an area nearly
the size of Australia. A stretch of 2,300 miles is the world's
longest navigable inland waterway. Amazonia examines the diversity,
grandeur, and history of an astonishingly dynamic eco-system. With
clear terms and stunning photography, the book conveys the region's
vast resources. Its forests and jungles are home to one third of all
the living species on the planet. The region sustains more than 300
mammal species, up to 2,000 bird species, 2,500 tree species, 60,000
distinct plants, and an estimated 30 million insect species. The book
is filled with spectacular images of orchids, strangler figs, armies
of exotic insects, rare and endangered species, the rich variety of
flowers and birds, and inhabitants of the region. The book closely
examines the hidden resources of the Amazon including huge deposits
of iron ore, tin, aluminum, copper and gold. Amazonia tells
fascinating accounts of boom and bust eras such as the black gold
rush of the late 19th century that was fueled by the huge worldwide
demand for rubber. Amazonia also includes what is being done now and
what can be done in the future to ensure that this remarkable region
continues to nurture its huge reservoir of life.
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