## TL;DR

The Amazon Rainforest (5.5 million km², 9 countries) is the world's largest tropical rainforest, producing 20% of Earth's oxygen. Biodiversity: 10% of known species — 40,000 plant species, 1,300 birds, 3,000 fish, 427 mammals. Indigenous peoples have lived there for 11,000+ years.

## Core Explanation

Amazon River: largest by discharge volume (209,000 m³/s, 20% of global river flow). Deforestation: ~17% lost in 50 years — cattle ranching, soy farming, logging. Tipping point theory: 20-25% deforestation → savannah conversion (self-reinforcing drought). Carbon sink: absorbs 2 billion tons CO₂ annually. Indigenous land rights: most effective conservation strategy. Fires: worst in 2019, 2020 — international attention.

## Further Reading

- [WWF Amazon](https://www.worldwildlife.org/places/amazon)