The Amazon rainforest spreads across several countries, though most of it lies in Brazil.

The longer version

Rainforest thrives where rainfall is heavy and temperatures stay warm all year. The basin that supports it spans a huge area, and political borders were drawn through it long after the forest itself formed. One country contains the largest share simply because of how the lines were set.

The forest generates much of its own rainfall by releasing water vapour from leaves, which then falls again downwind. Removing large areas can disrupt that recycling. Soils beneath are often thin and nutrient poor, since nutrients cycle quickly through living plants rather than accumulating in the ground.

Where this entry sits

These facts wander across maps, borders, deserts, rivers, mountains, and the extreme corners of the natural world. Each one is short and self-contained, offering a small surprise about places you may never visit rather than anything you actually need. The full list sits on the Geography page, where every entry is listed in order.