Amazonian Country Located at he heart of the Equatorial Line
Oriente
The Amazon Region of Ecuador
The Amazon Region is one of the four natural regions of the Republic of
Ecuador. It compiles the Provinces of: Orellana, Pastaza, Sucumbíos,
Morona Santiago and Zamora Chinchipe. It has an extension of 120,000
km² of exuberant vegetation.
The Amazon Basin of Ecuador is the part of South America drained by the
great Amazon River, most of the basin is covered by the Rainforest also
known as Amazonia. Because most of the Amazon Rainforest is
unexplored, many of its indigenous plants and animals here are unknown.
Recently in 2013, for the first time in 35 years, the discovery of a new
carnivore species, a long tailed and orange furred mammal called olinguito,
made the news around the world. This Teddy Bear look alike mammal was
found in the jungles of Ecuador and Colombia.
Plant growth is dense due to the heavy rainfall, the ground is always damp
and dark due to the shade of tall vegetation that creates a roof over the top
of the forest. Many plants here grow hanging on the branches or tree trunks
with aerial roots not as parasites but as epiphytes.
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This site was last updated on: March 16, 2025
Animal life here is abundant, more than 14,000 species of mammals are found here, and about 1,500 species of birds inhabit the basin. Many
species of reptiles are found here, the largest snake in the world the Anaconda roams the shallow waters of the Amazon, while other types of
snakes live in the tree tops like the Emerald Tree Boa and the Boa Constrictor.
More than 1,000 species of amphibians swim the waters of the Amazon, tropical frogs unlike their tempered kind live in the trees and really only
a few are found near bodies of water on the forest floor. The high humidity and the constant rainstorms give tropical frogs the best environment
to live off the floor and escape many predators.
The Amazon Basin has the largest fish fauna than any other basin on Earth; with more than 2,200 species is the center of diversity of tropical
fishes. The Red-bellied piranha lives here, an omnivorous forager larger than any other species of piranhas. Some of the tropical groups of fish
that are found here are:
•
Gymnotiformes: Neotropical electric fishes
•
Characidae: Tetras and Allies
•
Loricariidae: Armored Catfish
•
Cichlinae: Neatropical Cichilds
•
Poeciliinae: Guppies and relative
Insects living here are by far the largest group in the Amazon, a single
square mile of rainforest houses more than 50,000 insect species, of
that 25% are beetles with body lengths of over 6.5 inches. Some
scientists believe that 30% of the insects of the Amazon Basin is
made up of ants.
The river is the principal path of transportation for people tha lives
here, seasonal floods axcavate and redistributes nutrients onto
beaches and islands of the region. This enables dry season
agriculture along the banks of the rivers without the need of fertilizers.
The Yasuni National Park is arguably one of the most biologically diverse spots on Earth. The Yasuní National Park and the adjacent Waorani
Reserve cover about 6,500 square miles; here we find the most powerful bird of prey in the world, the harpy eagle top flying carnivore of the
jungle. The park also harbors a very high level of fish diversity with 382 known species, 150 species of amphibians, 117 bat species, 596 bird
species and over 4,000 vascular plant species.
800 million barrels of crude oil are believed to be under this park, 20% of Ecuador’s reserves. Recently environmentalist and scientist have
urged the government to leave the resources untapped, but the government has assured that drilling can be conducted without damaging the
environment. Oil production accounts for one third of Ecuador’s national budget.
The Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador, is one of the most inexpensive and more accessible places in South America, Tourists here have the
opportunity of experiencing the wildlife and the fascinating mix of Indian Tribes that occupy these lands. A trip from Quito takes you through
three of the natural regions, leaving from the heart of the Cordillera of the Andes you will be able to admire the breathtaking views of the
Páramos, descending through a part of the cloud forest and before arriving to the Amazon Basin.
The Amazon Region in Ecuador has a variety of places to visit and amenities for the entire family, from Lodges located on riverbanks to
rainforest sanctuaries where everyone can enjoy the experience that only the Amazon can offer.
The Oriente encompasses one of Ecuador’s greatest tropical rainforest, jungle lodges, many of them a canoe ride down the Río Napo, make for
the most comfortable way of experiencing the thrill of this diverse and exciting habitat, here you can find indigenous community that will give you
a glimpse into the lives of the jungle’s inhabitants. Some of the more isolated destinations can be reached only by light aircraft or boat.
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expose your company
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exponga su compañía
ante todo el mundo.
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