South America

South America is home to some of the world’s most iconic and ecologically diverse rivers. The Amazon River, the largest by discharge volume globally, spans over 6,400 km and drains about 40% of the continent. It nourishes the vast Amazon rainforest through intricate tributaries like the Madeira and Negro, supporting immense biodiversity. The Orinoco River flows through tropical grasslands known as llanos, creating vital floodplains used by diverse fauna. The Paraná–Paraguay river system serves critical roles in agriculture, hydropower, and transport, flowing through extensive urban and farming areas before emptying into the Río de la Plata estuary. Mountain-fed rivers in the Andes provide oxygen-rich waters with fast flow, feeding downstream ecosystems. South American rivers vary from giant floodplain sustainers to smaller, glacier-fed rivers, each integral to the continent's ecology and human societies.