The River Amazon flows through this region from west to east. The Amazon is 6,577 kilometres long; Over half its length (some 3,615 kilometres) is in Brazil. The River Amazon has a very gentle gradient. Large boats can sail a long way along the river.

For centuries people have farmed the rainforest for Brazil nuts, cocoa, vanilla oil and natural rubber. These activities were sustainable because they did not damage the rainforest in the long term. Recent 'development' in the rainforest has been less sustainable. Activities such as commercial farming, logging and ranching have left huge areas of the rainforest devastated.

There are two major cities in the Amazon - Manaus and Belem. Both have grown rapidly since 1960. People have moved to these cities as large scale development has failed.