International House Language Centre Palermo Blog

Writing a travel guide, Suzanne's level 6

 The Amazon Rainforest

by Francesco Arcoleo

I'll never forget my adventurous trip to Manaus to visit the Amazon rainforest, the world's largest tropical rainforest which covers more than half of Brazil.

The Amazon rainforest has been described as the “Lungs of our Planet” because more than 20 percent of the world’s oxygen is produced in this rainforest. The combination of nature and culture make discovering the Amazon rainforest an unequalled experience. There you can see an extraordinary abundance of life with hundreds of thousands of different species of animals and plants and giant trees.

A spectacular thing to see is the 'Meeting of Waters', where the dark Rio Negro flows with the Rio Solimoes and, thanks to the difference in temperature, speed and water density between the two rivers, their waters do not mix.

You can explore many options for your Amazon rainforest tours. Adventure travels or small boat tours are some of the many options to choose. Whatever your tastes, every tour highlights the majesty of the rainforest and the experience is unsurpassed and unforgettable. Many boat tours or cruisers leave from Manaus, the capital of the state of Amazonas. Just here at Manaus, more 1000 miles from the mouth of its  beginnings, the Amazon splits in two rivers and the colors of the two rivers side by side are clearly visible. The whitewater side of the river flows from Peru, and the dark waters of Rio Negro (Black River) journey from Venezuela.

A constant cycle of evaporation and rainfall keeps the rainforest cool and regulates the temperature. The rainforest is home to some well-known Amazon animals such as the Nocturnal Jaguar or the chilling Boa Constrictor.

During your tour through the sea you can appreciate an incredible wide variety of colours in a breathtaking landscape. If you see a large colourful parrot eating sand near the banks, it might be a Scarlet Macaw, which eats the clay for its rich salt and mineral content. An Amazon tour or Amazon cruise is the serene way to relax and take in the wonder of the rainforest. Whether you include rafting, a city tour, or visits to one of the many hot springs, you could spend weeks along the Amazon River and never learn of all its splendour.