How long is the Amazon River? It seems like a simple question, but the truth is that this has been plaguing scientists, explorers, and the geographical society for decades. How hard can it be to measure a river? The answer to that is actually pretty hard because there are a number of factors to take into account and everyone has a different idea of how to measure the river.
The Amazon River is 4,225 miles long, or 6,800 km in length.
By volume, the Amazon River is the largest river in the world – this much we know for sure. Its basin is home to the magnificent Amazon Rainforest and its banks provide a home for millions of people and animals across the continent of South America. The river itself is the lifeblood of the nations through which it runs, acting as a source of water, a habitat, and a transportation route.
When determining the length of a river, it is important to know where it begins and ends. This much seems obvious but it is exactly where the confusion stems from. For a long time, Carhuasanta Creek in southern Peru was one of the widely accepted starting points for the river. However, in 2007, a group of Brazilian scientists put forward a theory that the Apacheta Creek is actually the source of the Amazon River.
As for the mouth of the river, scientists all agree that the river dumps out into the Atlantic Ocean, but there are three outlets from which it does this. Two are on the northern side of Brazil’s Marajo Island and one is on the southern side. This latter outlet joins with the Pará River before churning out into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Length of the Amazon River
You might wonder why it matters where the exact beginning and end point of the river is. Well, when it comes to determining length, these details make all the difference and can be the deciding factor between whether or not the Amazon River is the longest river in the world or whether that crown goes to the Nile River. Most recent estimates states that the Amazon River is 4,225 miles long, while the Nile is 4,160 miles in length. This means that the Amazon River is the longest river in the world – for now.
Visiting the Amazon River
Of course, for the average explorer, the full length of the Amazon River is not important. What is important is that they find the perfect river cruise to their travel preferences, so they can venture along this watery road in total comfort. Delfin Amazon Cruises has a number of top quality vessels that provide a balance between luxury and adventure as you cruise along the Peruvian segment of the powerful Amazon Basin.
The expertly concocted itineraries allow travelers to explore unimaginable natural beauty, such as you will find in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, and to get up close and personal with the River’s wildlife. Don’t be surprised if you see pink river dolphins swimming alongside the boat or turtles and caimans lounging on the banks of the river.
In addition to seeing the plethora of wildlife that makes it home in and around the Amazon River, guests on board Delfin’s cruise ships will also have the chance to explore local communities, navigate the river by kayak, and meander along jungle trails. These numerous experiences combine to create a once in a lifetime trip that will give you permanent bragging rights.
For more information about the length of the Amazon River or if you are interested in booking a Delfin Amazon Cruise, please contact us or call 1-833-201-8684.
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