Final answer:
The Amazon rainforest, also known simply as the Amazon, is the world's largest tropical rainforest, stretching over 2 million square miles within the Amazon Basin.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Amazon rainforest, often simply known as the Amazon, is the largest tropical rainforest in the world, covering over 2 million square miles of the Amazon Basin. The Amazon Basin itself is vast, encompassing 40 percent of South America and is fed by the mighty Amazon River and its over 1,100 tributaries, including significant rivers like the Rio Negro, the Madeira, and the Xingu. The basin's climate is tropical and humid, characterized by heavy precipitation, supporting immense biodiversity with a dense network of ecosystems.
Unfortunately, the Amazon rainforest faces threats from deforestation, cattle ranching, and mining which have led to severe environmental degradation. This not only affects the unique plant and animal species found here but also the indigenous Amerindian populations which have been reduced to around 200,000 individuals in Brazil, with most residing in the Amazon interior.