Amazon rainforest
The Amazon rainforest is a dense tropical forest in South America, home to a rich diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as: Amazon jungle, Amazonia rainforest
How big is it?
5,500,000 km² · approximate forest area
Approximate forest area · approximate
Typical recorded range: 5,300,000 km² to 6,000,000 km².
A little perspective
Amazon rainforest vs Charon: area comparison
The forest area of the Amazon rainforest is about 1.19 times the spherical surface area of Charon.
The Amazon rainforest is a dense tropical forest in South America, home to a rich diversity of plant and animal life.
Too small to see at this scale. The ring marks its true-scale position, not its area. The shape has not been enlarged.
Charon is a natural satellite of Pluto, composed mainly of rock and water ice.
Too small to see at this scale. The ring marks its true-scale position, not its area. The shape has not been enlarged.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Amazon rainforest
Approximate forest area: 5,500,000 km²; approximate; range 5,300,000 km²–6,000,000 km².
The Amazon rainforest is represented by a rounded 5.5 million km² area. Forest, basin and biome boundaries differ; the equal-area symbol is not a boundary map.
Encyclopaedia Britannica — Amazon River and rainforest
The marked approximate forest area is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Charon
Spherical surface area: 4,615,000 km²; derived.
Rounded mean-radius model of Charon. The derived area and volume describe a sphere; surface terrain and flattening are omitted.
NASA JPL — Planetary satellite physical parameters
The marked spherical surface area is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Use the visual comparison to explore its scale, then check the measurements and sources.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 5,500,000 km²
We compare the forest area of the Amazon rainforest. This is an estimate; check the notes for its rounding and uncertainty. The recorded range is 5,300,000 km² to 6,000,000 km².
The Amazon rainforest is represented by a rounded 5.5 million km² area. Forest, basin and biome boundaries differ; the equal-area symbol is not a boundary map.
The picture identifies the subject; the diagram compares the recorded values. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5,500,000 km² | 5,300,000 km² to 6,000,000 km² | approximate |
Around this scale
Explore nearby values.
Compare examples with lower, similar and higher values. Each card names the measurement being compared.
Nearest lower valuePlanets, moons and spaceCharon4,615,000 km²Spherical surface areaCharon is a natural satellite of Pluto, composed mainly of rock and water ice.Around the same scalePlaces and natural featuresSahara9,200,000 km²Approximate desert areaThe Sahara is a vast desert region in North Africa, characterised by arid climate and extensive sand dunes.
Nearest higher valuePlaces and natural featuresAustralia7,692,000 km²AreaAustralia is a country and continent located between the Indian and Pacific Oceans in the Southern Hemisphere.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Amazon River and rainforestRounded river length and broad rainforest-area context; geographic definitions vary.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
PlacesAmazon River6,400 kmThe Amazon River is a major waterway in South America that flows eastward across the continent and drains a vast rainforest basin.SpaceCharon1,212 kmCharon is a natural satellite of Pluto, composed mainly of rock and water ice.PlacesAustralia7,692,000 km²Australia is a country and continent located between the Indian and Pacific Oceans in the Southern Hemisphere.
SpaceCeres939.4 kmCeres is a dwarf planet located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
PlacesGreenland2,166,000 km²Greenland is a large Arctic island northeast of Canada, mostly covered by an ice sheet and governed as an autonomous territory within Denmark.
SpacePluto2,377 kmPluto is a dwarf planet in the Kuiper Belt, composed of rock and ice and orbiting the Sun.
SpaceEris2,326 kmEris is a dwarf planet in the scattered disc region beyond Neptune, composed of rock and ice.
PlacesAfrica30,370,000 km²Africa is a continent south of Europe, made up of over 50 countries with diverse climates and landscapes.