Exploring Our World: Latin America and Canada, Europe, and Australia © 2012 Georgia Edition

"The Amazon River"

Introduction
In this chapter you have read about the geography of Latin America and its diverse physical features, including its many waterways. The world's second-longest river, the Amazon, serves as a transportation route and helps sustain more than one-third of all of the species in the world. On this Web site you will learn that the Amazon River runs through a fragile, threatened ecosystem.

Destination Title: World Wildlife Organization: Amazon

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Directions
Start at the World Wildlife Organization: Amazon Web site.

• Scroll over the photos and click on the "Fast Facts" photo.
• Read the information and then answer the following questions.

1			What is the world's largest river basin?
2			How many gallons of water does the Amazon River pour into the Atlantic Ocean every second?
3			What is the largest animal living in the Amazon River?
4			Back on the main page, click on the "Vanishing Forests" photo and read the information. List three reasons for deforestation in the Amazon Basin.
5			How might climate change affect the Amazon region and the species that live there?
6			Navigate back to the main page and click on the "Amazon Alive" photo. Of the four species described, which do you find most unique? List two or three reasons to help explain your choice. Finally, go to Act Now on the title bar. Drop down to E-cards. Choose an E-card to send to a friend or family member. Write your own personal message on the card and tell that person what you learned from looking at this site. Tell them whether or not you enjoyed the site.