Geographical position of the Amazonian lowland. Characteristics of the Amazonian Lowland

In the school curriculum for geography pass lowlands, studying their features, geographical location, terrain, climate, inland waters. Particular attention deserves a part of the territory, which is located on the South American continent, - the Amazonian lowland. On the map to find her labor will not be, as she is the largest on the planet. The lowlands in the west are the Andes mountain system, in the east it reaches the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. And in the north it borders on the Guiana Plateau, in the south it encounters the Brazilian Plateau.

The Amazonian lowland is distinguished not only by its size, but also by its features. This territory can be called the kingdom of impenetrable jungles and marshes. Some animals inhabiting this area are very dangerous. However, more on this later.

Description Plan

In order to describe the Amazon lowland, you need to use a plan, an example of which is shown below. With its help you can make a full description of the geographical object.

Plan:

1. A brief description of the lowland.
2. Geographical position.
3. Territorial division.
4. Inland waters.
5. Climate.
6. Vegetation and soil.
7. Animal world.
8. Civilization.

So, the plan is drawn up, you can immediately begin to describe this lowland.

a brief description of

The Amazonian lowland (on the map of the Southern Hemisphere) is a vast lowland of South America. And, as already mentioned, the largest on the planet. Its area exceeds 5 million square meters. Km.

Lowland was formed as a result of deposits of loose mineral material from the bottom of the most abundant river of the planet, the Amazon, on land. This process (accumulation) has been going on for many years. The Amazonian lowland completely occupies the river basin. The average height of this geographical area is from 100 to 300 m above sea level.

Where is the Amazon Lowland?

The Amazonian lowland is located in the deflection (syneclise) of the South American platform. This deflection is filled with rocks of the Paleozoic period. In the north and south, the lowland fits the crystalline rocks of the shields and gradually rises to the plateaus.

Where is the Amazon lowland on the map? In order to answer this question, you will first need to find the continent of South America. There, between the meridians 49 ° and 78 ° west longitude and parallels of 5 ° north and 19 ° south latitude there is a vast territory, densely rugged riverbeds. As a rule, on maps, the lowland is highlighted in greenish color, so it will not be difficult to find its boundaries.

Territorial division

Territorially, the Amazonian lowland is divided into two regions. This is the Western and Eastern Amazon. The border between them is considered to be the large tributaries of the Amazon River: the right one is Tapajos and the left one is Rio Negro.

Western Amazonia

A smooth and flat relief is represented in the west by the Amazonian lowland. The height can vary slightly throughout, but this figure does not exceed 100 m. Significantly extends from north to south, reaching up to 1,600 km.

Inland waters

Most of the major rivers flowing along the Amazonian lowland originate in the foothills of the Andes. They get food from snow melting in the mountains. In addition, they are fed by underground water. The rivers of the Western Amazon are distinguished by their complex flow regime and high water content. The valleys have high flood plains, often flooded. In the period of high water, the water in the rivers can rise by 10-15 m, and the riverbed spreads over several tens of kilometers. Some water streams flood their banks for several years. Rails near the rivers are winding with muddy water. Wetlands are often found. The largest and most significant rivers of the region are: Napo, Maranion, Ucayali, Beni, Yapura-Kaketa, Isa-Putumayo.

Climatic features of Western Amazonia

The geographical position of the Amazonian lowland directly affects the climate. The western part of it lies within the equatorial belt. Here, the highest humidity and high air temperatures. The average annual precipitation is 2 500-3 500 mm. This is the highest indicator of the planet. A stormy downpour is held here every day, in the afternoon. The summer does not stop in this territory, the average temperatures are + 28 ° С ... + 30 ° С. Humidity of air within the limits of 80-90%, at a dawn can reach the maximum 100%.

Vegetation

The vegetation is dominated by moist equatorial forests - selva and gilei. Plots of these thickets, which are prone to frequent flooding due to flooding of rivers, are called Igapo. Often flooded floodplain, and above the water can be seen only tall trees. Very often the seeds of the vegetation are transported over the water for long distances. When the water level drops, they settle and rise on their own.

Soils podzolized lateritic, often have an orange color because of the alumina and iron that have come out on the surface. The forests of Western Amazonia are high (the crowns of trees reach 30-35 m, the highest representatives are up to 60 m), hard to access, shady, impassable, respectively, virtually untouched by man.

Animal world

The geographical position of the Amazonian lowland has its own characteristics. For example, on the west side there is increased humidity. That's why in this territory live those animals, which are more inhabited by trees. These are sloths, monkeys, opossums, anteaters and endemics of the region - tailless bears from the family of marsupials. Their arboreal cat in the forests of Amazonia can be found spotted jaguar, gray puma and small jaguarundi.

Wet climate is an ideal place for insects, reptiles, amphibians. Western Amazonia - the most favorable place on the planet for different types of snakes. Here live the most dangerous representatives: zhararaka, terrible rattler, aspid, thorn-bushmeyster. But the most popular species of this area are the boa constrictors, led by the largest snake on the planet - an anaconda.
The rivers of the Amazon have a rich fauna. In addition to commercial fish, alligators and predatory piranhas are found in the equatorial waters.

Eastern Amazonia

The eastern part of the lowlands is much narrower. The maximum width is 350 km. This region is more divided, sometimes on the surface there are crystalline rocks. The Amazonian lowland (height of 200 m is considered the average indicator) on the east side in places rises to 350 m above sea level.

Water resources

The river valleys are weakly tortuous, deeply embedded in land. The water in them is transparent, the current is rapid, rapids and waterfalls are often encountered. The uniqueness of the watercourses of the Eastern Amazon lies in an unusual color - it is dark blue. Humic acids, which are a product of the decomposition of plants, give this shade. The rise of water in these streams provokes torrential rains typical for this region. In addition, oceanic waves enter the mouth, which also contribute to a periodic rise in the level of rivers.

The climate of Eastern Amazonia

The eastern region of the Amazon lies within the subequatorial climatic belt. The average air temperature is + 25 ° C ... + 28 ° C. Humidity is lower here than in the western region - 80%. The average annual precipitation is also less - 1,500-2,500 mm. There is an arid period. The geographical position of the Amazonian lowland is such that the eastern part is greatly influenced by the Atlantic winds. They contribute greatly to the formation of the climate. The southeast trade winds bring a prolonged period of drought to the region. In connection with this, the flora of the region also changes.

Flora and fauna

Unlike the western region with evergreen equatorial forests, the eastern one is characterized by the presence of deciduous thickets and savannas. In the region there are atypical deer-mazams for this area, as well as armadillos, anteaters. Many insects, termites, small rodents. A large variety of birds is typical for this region. In the Eastern Amazon you can meet dozens of different kinds of parrots, toucans. The smallest representative of birds - the hummingbird - also lives here.

Studying the vegetation of this region, you can see how the geographical position of the Amazonian lowland affects. It is known that the forests that grow in this area are considered the largest tropical forest on the planet. More than half of such thickets of the planet fall on this territory. The ecological problem of this region and the planet as a whole is deforestation. The most serious consequence may be the intensification of the greenhouse effect.

Civilization

The Amazonian lowland is a hard-to-reach region of the planet, on which there is virtually no civilization. Ways of communication here run along the river. Along the shores of the Amazon are only two major Brazilian cities - Manaus and Belen. And from the capital of Brazil to the city of Belen, an asphalt road is laid, the only one for the whole region.

Pupils of grades 5-7 who need to describe the geographical position of the Amazonian lowland are advised to use this article.