From headwaters high in the Andes the Amazon River flows more than 4000 miles through the world's greatest rainforest, into the Amazon delta, and finally into the Atlantic Ocean. More water moves through the Amazon than any other river in the world; it is a giant hydraulic system that drains almost 40 percent of South America. This atlas gives a comprehensive view of the Amazon River and its 13 major tributaries.;Containing more than 150 colour maps and nearly 300 photographs, the authors explore many intriguing topics such as why some of the Amazon's tributaries have black water, what happens when the freshwater of the Amazon reaches the salty ocean, and why we all should be concerned about the deforestation that contributes to the loss of species biodiversity.