Which is the largest river by discharge volume of water in the world?

The correct answer is Amazon.

Key Points

• The Amazon River is the largest river by discharge volume of water in the world.
• It discharges approximately 209,000 cubic meters per second into the Atlantic Ocean.
• The river runs through several countries in South America, primarily Brazil, Peru, and Colombia.
• The Amazon River has a drainage basin that covers about 7 million square kilometers.
• The Amazon contributes around 20% of the total riverine discharge into the world's oceans.

Additional Information

• Drainage Basin:
  • The Amazon River basin is the largest in the world, covering approximately 40% of South America.
  • It spans across nine countries: Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.
• Length of the River:
  • There is a longstanding debate about the length of the Amazon River.
  • Recent studies suggest it might be slightly longer than the Nile, making it the longest river in the world.
• Amazon Rainforest:
  • The river runs through the Amazon rainforest, which is the largest tropical rainforest in the world.
  • This rainforest is often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth" due to its vast capacity for carbon dioxide absorption and oxygen production.
• Biodiversity:
  • The Amazon River basin is home to an incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna.
  • This includes over 3,000 species of fish, many of which are unique to the Amazon ecosystem.