18 Questions
What is the main characteristic of the Amazon Basin's climate?
High humidity and hot temperatures
Why does the ground in the Amazon rainforest remain dark and damp?
Due to the thick forest canopy blocking sunlight
What type of vegetation thrives in the Amazon rainforest due to the lack of sunlight reaching the ground?
Shade-tolerant plants like orchids and bromeliads
Which of the following animals is commonly found in the Amazon rainforest?
Monkeys and tapirs
What makes birds like toucans, hummingbirds, and macaws different from birds commonly seen in India?
Their brilliantly colored plumage, oversized bills, and loud sounds
Which type of reptiles are commonly found in the Amazon rainforest?
Crocodiles and snakes
How do the dense forests in the Amazon Basin affect sunlight reaching the ground?
They block sunlight from reaching the ground
What is a common feature of nights in the Amazon Basin?
'Almost hot and humid' conditions
Why do thick forests grow heavily in the Amazon Basin?
'Dense 'roof' created by leaves and branches' blocking sunlight from reaching the ground
What is the main purpose of 'slash and burn' agriculture as described in the text?
To clear land for commercial crops
How does 'slash and burn' agriculture impact soil fertility over time?
It depletes soil nutrients
Which crop is considered a staple food for the people practicing 'slash and burn' agriculture?
Sweet potato
How do women contribute to the survival of their families in the context of 'slash and burn' agriculture?
By growing and providing vegetables
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a cash crop grown by people practicing 'slash and burn' agriculture?
Pineapple
What type of houses are mentioned in the text as being shaped like beehives?
Thatched houses
What major change allowed easier access to all parts of the rainforest in 1970?
'Tran Amazon' highway
What mode of transportation is specifically mentioned alongside river navigation for reaching various places?
Aircrafts
'Slash and burn' agriculture is primarily practiced by:
'Manioc' farmers
Study Notes
The Amazon Basin
- The Amazon Basin stretches directly across the equator and is characterized by hot and humid weather throughout the year.
- Both day and night temperatures are almost equally hot and humid, with high humidity and heavy rainfall.
- The skin feels sticky, and it rains every day, often without warning.
Rainforests
- Heavy rainfall in this region leads to the growth of thick forests.
- The forests are so dense that the "roof" created by leaves and branches does not allow sunlight to reach the ground, making the ground dark and damp.
- Only shade-tolerant vegetation can grow in this environment.
Vegetation
- Orchids and bromeliads grow as plant parasites in this environment.
Fauna
- The rainforest is rich in fauna, with birds such as toucans, hummingbirds, and macaw with brightly colored plumage.
- Animals like monkeys, sloth, and ant-eating tapirs are found in this region.
- Various species of reptiles and snakes, including crocodiles, pythons, anaconda, and boa constrictor, thrive in these jungles.
- The basin is home to thousands of species of insects.
Agriculture
- "Slash and Burn" is a method of cultivating land used by farmers, where they clear land by cutting down trees and bushes, then burning them to release nutrients into the soil.
- Crops are grown in this cleared field for a few years before the soil loses its nutrients and is abandoned.
- The soil fertility is then restored, and people can return to cultivate it again.
- Crops grown include tapioca, pineapple, and sweet potato.
- The staple food is manioc, also known as cassava, which grows underground.
People of the Amazon Basin
- Women play a crucial role in keeping their families alive by feeding them the vegetables they grow.
- People practice "slash and burn agriculture" and eat queen ants and egg sacs.
- Cash crops like coffee, maize, and cocoa are also grown.
- The rainforests provide a lot of wood for building houses.
- Some families live in thatched houses shaped like beehives, while others live in large apartment-houses called "Maloca" with steeply slanting roofs.
- The way of life of the people of the Amazon basin is slow-changing.
Test your knowledge on the climate of the Amazon Basin. Learn about the hot, humid conditions, frequent rainfall, and unique weather patterns that characterize this region.
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