The Amazon rainforest, world's largest remaining natural resource, represents 54% of the total rainforests left on Earth. It covers an area of 2.5 million square miles, touching nine South America countries: Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia and the Guianas - Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname, or two thirds of the South America continent. Its live force is the Amazon river, born in the Andean mountains of Peru, flows for more than 4,000 miles to end in the Atlantic ocean near Belem, Brazil. Along the way, it is fed by about 1,100 tributaries. More than 20% of Earth's oxygen is produced in this area, that is why it is named "Lungs of the Planet." Amazon rainforest birds account for for at least one third of the world's bird species, being toucan the most popular icon. An estimated 90% of Amazon rainforest plants used by Amazon natives have not been studied by modern science. In 1500 there were an estimated 6 to 9 million Amazon natives. By 1900 the number has gone down to one million left in Brazil. Today, the number is believed to be of around 250,000 Amazon natives, totalling 215 ethnic groups with 170 different languages. (USTE)
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