Despite much exploration and scientific study, innumerable tropical rainforest facts are yet unknown to us. One thing we do know for sure is that we need to know more and the rainforests will always have more to teach us.

Rainforests around the globe can offer us unique insight into the history of our planet, both geologically and ecologically.

These amazing forests are all positioned near the equator, between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, which is why we call them “tropical”. Year-round warmth from the Sun has made this belt around the Earth a refuge for animal and plant life, even through periods of drastic climate change such as ice ages.

While most plant and animal species elsewhere had to evolve to adverse weather conditions or face extinction, those in wet tropical areas have benefited from a stable climate and evolved through competition with each other.

Some of the most interesting tropical rainforest facts show the curious inter-relationships developed between different species for mutual survival, observable in rainforests around the world.

You can find rainforest conditions throughout the tropical band, wherever the climate is wet enough and the topography is right. Annual rainfall must be at least 80 inches, in a low-lying landscape usually below 3,000 feet, for a rainforest to develop and be sustained.

Today, these areas include parts of Africa, Madagascar, India, Southeast Asia, and Central America. The country with the most rainforest territory within its borders is Brazil, which hosts 60% of the Amazon rainforest.

People sometimes call the rainforest a jungle, but this is not always correct. Technically, the jungle is only part of the rainforest, and a less common part in fact. “Jungle” is a term that describes the overgrowth of plants beneath the canopy, but this growth is only enabled where more-than-normal sunlight reaches the undergrowth area.

Rainforests have more biodiversity than all other biomes on Earth combined. About 80% of unique species of plants and animals have been discovered in these rich environments.

Most of the ground nutrients of the forest are found only in the top 2 inches of the soil. This has caused the rainforest trees to grow their roots near and above the surface instead of reaching deeper into the dirt for minerals as trees do elsewhere.

There are multiple levels in a rainforest, from the highest emergent level of the trees to the understory and surface growth, each has evolved a mini-ecosystem of its own. Many creatures, like some sloths, never have to leave the treetops.

Plant leaves develop differently in the upper and lower levels of the rainforest. In the shade beneath the canopy, leaves grow larger and darker, often with the ability to pivot in order to collect more sunlight. Leaves in the emergent layer grow a drip-tip which allows more water to run off and reduces their vulnerability to mold and fungi. Even with drip-tips, it can take up to 10 minutes for the rain to travel through the trees.

New species of plants and animals are discovered every year in rainforests worldwide. In the summer of 2011, for instance, a World Wildlife Fund expedition discovered a new species of titi monkey in the Mato Grasso region of Brazil. Several species of bio-luminescent mushrooms were identified in 2009 by scientists in different rainforests, including Mycena luxaeterna in Sao Paulo, Brazil and Mycena silvaelucens in Borneo, Malaysia.

A rainforest environment can also exist on a mountaintop, fed by moisture in the air, rather than falling rain. Some “cloud forests” are found in Costa Rica and Jamaica. The Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary is a popular tourist site on the big island of Hawaii.

Plants in the rainforest have different life cycles, blooming and bearing their fruit at different times throughout the year, based on the normal weather patterns.

Many pharmaceutical drugs were derived from rainforest plants. Only a tiny fraction of rainforest flora has been studied for medicinal properties however.

The newly discovered titi monkey species mentioned above was found in an area called the “Deforestation Crescent”, where much of the forest has been logged and cleared for cattle ranches over the past few decades.

Rare animals, like the Silvery Gibbon monkeys of Indonesia, are often targeted by poachers. There are only about 2,000 wild silvery gibbons estimated to exist today, and these monogamous monkeys don't breed so willingly in captivity.

There were 7 to 10 million natives living in the rainforest before European explorers arrived. Today there are comparatively very small pockets of indigenous people left. Many of those who still live in the forest have been greatly affected by modern civilization, but struggle to retain their ancestral knowledge and culture.

Rainforests cover only about 6% of the world's surface, but scientists say they once covered almost 15%. The remaining rainforests, they estimate, could be gone in a half-century.

More than an acre of forest is lost every second, when people and businesses are focused more on short-term profits and production than its long-term implications.

Despite the common understanding that trees take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the atmosphere, some scientific studies paid for by large multinational corporations have tried to say Earth's rainforests are not the “lungs of the world”, but rather “oxygen neutral” in an attempt to manipulate tropical rainforest facts with new and questionable terminology.

Rainforests have survived natural destruction by volcanoes and global climate change in the past, but widespread deforestation causes changes too quickly for plants and animals to adapt. Harmful human activities pose a greater risk of extinction and, unlike Earth's natural environmental processes, our impact can be controlled and minimized.

Worldwide concern about Earth's environment and ecosystem has inspired a great debate over modern civilization's role in the balance.

As every plant and animal has a place and a purpose in the delicate ecosystem, so do humans. We have more power to impact the planet on a large scale than any other creature, with that power comes responsibility

We can benefit more from expanding our understanding and discovering new tropical rainforest facts than we can by over-using the abundant physical resources of rainforest regions.

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The facts of Brazil include information about country's people and culture, but also include interesting information about the climate, economy, geographic location, and much more.

Brazil is a unique country in that it is a melting pot of people from several ethnic backgrounds and cultures. The result is a diverse and rich modern Brazilian culture of music, art, theatre, sports, family units, and a country full of friendly and generous people.

Brazil is South America's largest country boasting over 3 million square miles of land. Brazil can also boast that it has just over 21,000 square miles of water included in its geographical scope. It comes in as the world's 5th largest country in total area and total population within that area. It's the 3rd largest country within the Americas. Brazil is such a large geographical area; the country spans three time zones!

The Atlantic Ocean is on the eastern boundary of Brazil providing the country with just under 5,000 miles of gorgeous coastline. Northern boundaries include Guyana, Venezuela, French Guiana, and Suriname. Columbia is on the northwest side of Brazil. Bolivia and Peru bound Brazil on the western side and Paraguay and Argentina bound Brazil on the southwest side. Directly south is the small country of Uruguay.

Bodies of water on Brazil's borders include several archipelagos in addition to the Atlantic Ocean. They are small, but the archipelagos are considered a part of Brazil's territory.

Brazil is a country to watch economically. At the time of this writing, the country holds 8th place in the world's GDP and is running 9th in the world when it comes to how much it can potentially purchase as a country. Brazil is constantly evolving and is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing countries economically globally. Recent discoveries of oil off of Brazil's shores further increase their economic growth potential. They're definitely a country for the world to watch.

When the first people came to Brazil years ago, they developed the coastline of the country while pretty much avoiding the interior of the country. Even today, the richest areas of Brazil are found along the coastline, with the poorer people living in near poverty in the interior and rural areas of Brazil.

The federation of Brazil is split up across 26 states and one overall federal district. Municipalities exist within the states. Each state collects taxes, has a governor, and a legislative body who is elected by the people of that state. Each state also receives a percentage of tax money directly from the federal government. The states each have a court of law to try cases of common law.

The climate of Brazil is primarily tropical, but there are other types of weather conditions across the country due to the different topography. Brazil enjoys five overall climate types including semiarid, tropical, equatorial, temperate, and highland tropical. The major climates in the country include:

The population of Brazil as of the most recent count is around 193 million souls. The breakdown of the cultures and ethnicity of the people within this vast country is quite interesting.

Southern Brazil has the largest percentage of Caucasian people at roughly 79% as of the census taken in 2005. Brazil's southeastern region has the most diverse population of the country with a mix of people from black, Indian, and white backgrounds.

African-Brazilians make up 80% of the population in northeastern Brazil. Central-West Brazil, which is where the capital of the country is located, enjoys a diverse population of German, Italian, Portuguese, and Indian people. The Amerindian culture is seen throughout the Northern population of Brazil.

The population of Brazilians consists primarily of males and females between the ages of 15 years old and 64 years old. The percentages - approximately - look like this:

The Roman Catholic religion is the primary religion practiced in Brazil. Nearly 75% of Brazilians call themselves Catholic, which amounts to somewhere around 130 million people. There are around 28 million Protestants, 2.2 million practicing Spiritism, 1 million or so Jehovah's Witnesses, and roughly 12 million who claim to believe there is no supreme being at all. Very small pockets of the population practice Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism.

Most people are aware that Brazil is a large melting pot of cultures and backgrounds, but what ethnic groups are included in Brazil's population? Ethnic backgrounds of the Brazilian people include: Brazilian, Italian, Spanish, Arab, Polish, Portuguese, Japanese, German, Indigenous, Jewish, Black, and African.

View the original article here

The facts of Brazil include information about country's people and culture, but also include interesting information about the climate, economy, geographic location, and much more.

Brazil is a unique country in that it is a melting pot of people from several ethnic backgrounds and cultures. The result is a diverse and rich modern Brazilian culture of music, art, theatre, sports, family units, and a country full of friendly and generous people.

Brazil is South America's largest country boasting over 3 million square miles of land. Brazil can also boast that it has just over 21,000 square miles of water included in its geographical scope. It comes in as the world's 5th largest country in total area and total population within that area. It's the 3rd largest country within the Americas. Brazil is such a large geographical area; the country spans three time zones!

The Atlantic Ocean is on the eastern boundary of Brazil providing the country with just under 5,000 miles of gorgeous coastline. Northern boundaries include Guyana, Venezuela, French Guiana, and Suriname. Columbia is on the northwest side of Brazil. Bolivia and Peru bound Brazil on the western side and Paraguay and Argentina bound Brazil on the southwest side. Directly south is the small country of Uruguay.

Bodies of water on Brazil's borders include several archipelagos in addition to the Atlantic Ocean. They are small, but the archipelagos are considered a part of Brazil's territory.

Brazil is a country to watch economically. At the time of this writing, the country holds 8th place in the world's GDP and is running 9th in the world when it comes to how much it can potentially purchase as a country. Brazil is constantly evolving and is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing countries economically globally. Recent discoveries of oil off of Brazil's shores further increase their economic growth potential. They're definitely a country for the world to watch.

When the first people came to Brazil years ago, they developed the coastline of the country while pretty much avoiding the interior of the country. Even today, the richest areas of Brazil are found along the coastline, with the poorer people living in near poverty in the interior and rural areas of Brazil.

The federation of Brazil is split up across 26 states and one overall federal district. Municipalities exist within the states. Each state collects taxes, has a governor, and a legislative body who is elected by the people of that state. Each state also receives a percentage of tax money directly from the federal government. The states each have a court of law to try cases of common law.

The climate of Brazil is primarily tropical, but there are other types of weather conditions across the country due to the different topography. Brazil enjoys five overall climate types including semiarid, tropical, equatorial, temperate, and highland tropical. The major climates in the country include:

The population of Brazil as of the most recent count is around 193 million souls. The breakdown of the cultures and ethnicity of the people within this vast country is quite interesting.

Southern Brazil has the largest percentage of Caucasian people at roughly 79% as of the census taken in 2005. Brazil's southeastern region has the most diverse population of the country with a mix of people from black, Indian, and white backgrounds.

African-Brazilians make up 80% of the population in northeastern Brazil. Central-West Brazil, which is where the capital of the country is located, enjoys a diverse population of German, Italian, Portuguese, and Indian people. The Amerindian culture is seen throughout the Northern population of Brazil.

The population of Brazilians consists primarily of males and females between the ages of 15 years old and 64 years old. The percentages - approximately - look like this:

The Roman Catholic religion is the primary religion practiced in Brazil. Nearly 75% of Brazilians call themselves Catholic, which amounts to somewhere around 130 million people. There are around 28 million Protestants, 2.2 million practicing Spiritism, 1 million or so Jehovah's Witnesses, and roughly 12 million who claim to believe there is no supreme being at all. Very small pockets of the population practice Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism.

Most people are aware that Brazil is a large melting pot of cultures and backgrounds, but what ethnic groups are included in Brazil's population? Ethnic backgrounds of the Brazilian people include: Brazilian, Italian, Spanish, Arab, Polish, Portuguese, Japanese, German, Indigenous, Jewish, Black, and African.

View the original article here

These are some of the most interesting facts about Brazil that I've discovered, and also some of the most unusual!

It is really fun to look around online, and also to talk with my Brazilian friends, to learn more about what is most unique about Brazil.

The following lists are just a beginning, and I hope you'll join me to add to the list! Do you have additional amazing Brazil facts to share? Please let us know here!

First, we start with some basic Brazil facts. I didn't know a lot of these things!!

Brazil is:

According to Wikipedia, as of 2010 it averages 58 people per square kilometer. Population density has almost doubled in recent times but it still quite low, which is because most Brazilians live in cities, and there are vast expanses of the country that are unpopulated.

Now when I lived there in the 1990's, there was a lot more poverty in Brazil and yet my experience of the Brazilian spirit was of an optimistic and generous people. At that time, I remember runaway inflation, and the currency regularly changing, which was very confusing for me. It's difficult enough to learn how to count in Portugues, and even harder when the numbers and the amounts keep changing!

I am so glad that the economic situation is improving for Brazil now.

Ah, the Brazilian rainforest is truly a miraculous creation. What an amazing experience to be there, and to feel the sheer magnitude and beauty of Mother Nature. It's an experience I'll never forget, and hope to have again soon!

My ancestors are from England, Scotland and Europe, and my family is rather quiet, somewhat uncomfortable showing emotion, and rather reserved.

It was so refreshing for me to enjoy the open hearted, optimistic and exuberant Brazilian culture. Being there helped me to "loosen up" and learn to "go with the flow" a little more!Many of the interesting facts about Brazil that I learn remind me of this.

These are the kinds of Brazil facts you may not hear very often, if at all, unless you dig a little deeper into what is happening there.

Brazil is a large, beautiful and diverse country with so many unique aspects. Do you know some interesting things about Brazil that you'd like to share? Please share!

View the original article here

The facts of Brazil include information about country's people and culture, but also include interesting information about the climate, economy, geographic location, and much more.

Brazil is a unique country in that it is a melting pot of people from several ethnic backgrounds and cultures. The result is a diverse and rich modern Brazilian culture of music, art, theatre, sports, family units, and a country full of friendly and generous people.

Brazil is South America's largest country boasting over 3 million square miles of land. Brazil can also boast that it has just over 21,000 square miles of water included in its geographical scope. It comes in as the world's 5th largest country in total area and total population within that area. It's the 3rd largest country within the Americas. Brazil is such a large geographical area; the country spans three time zones!

The Atlantic Ocean is on the eastern boundary of Brazil providing the country with just under 5,000 miles of gorgeous coastline. Northern boundaries include Guyana, Venezuela, French Guiana, and Suriname. Columbia is on the northwest side of Brazil. Bolivia and Peru bound Brazil on the western side and Paraguay and Argentina bound Brazil on the southwest side. Directly south is the small country of Uruguay.

Bodies of water on Brazil's borders include several archipelagos in addition to the Atlantic Ocean. They are small, but the archipelagos are considered a part of Brazil's territory.

Brazil is a country to watch economically. The country already holds 8th place in the world's GDP and is running 9th in the world when it comes to how much it can potentially purchase a country. Brazil is constantly evolving and is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing countries economically globally. The 2010 economic forecast for Brazil is estimated to grow by 6.5%! They're definitely a country for the world to watch.

When the first people came to Brazil years ago, they developed the coastline of the country while pretty much avoiding the interior of the country. Even today, the richest areas of Brazil are found along the coastline, with the poorer people living in near poverty in the interior and rural areas of Brazil.

The federation of Brazil is split up across 26 states and one overall federal district. Municipalities exist within the states. Each state collects taxes, has a governor, and a legislative body who is elected by the people of that state. Each state also receives a percentage of tax money directly from the federal government. The states each have a court of law to try cases of common law.

The climate of Brazil is primarily tropical, but there are other types of weather conditions across the country due to the different topography. Brazil enjoys five overall climate types including semiarid, tropical, equatorial, temperate, and highland tropical. The major climates in the country include:

The population of Brazil as of the most recent count is around 193 million souls. The breakdown of the cultures and ethnicity of the people within this vast country is quite interesting.

Southern Brazil has the largest percentage of Caucasian people at roughly 79% as of the census taken in 2005. Brazil's southeastern region has the most diverse population of the country with a mix of people from black, Indian, and white backgrounds.

African-Brazilians make up 80% of the population in northeastern Brazil. Central-West Brazil, which is where the capital of the country is located, enjoys a diverse population of German, Italian, Portuguese, and Indian people. The Amerindian culture is seen throughout the Northern population of Brazil.

The population of Brazilians consists primarily of males and females between the ages of 15 years old and 64 years old. The percentages - approximately - look like this:

The Roman Catholic religion is the primary religion practiced in Brazil. Nearly 75% of Brazilians call themselves Catholic, which amounts to somewhere around 130 million people. There are around 28 million Protestants, 2.2 million practicing Spiritism, 1 million or so Jehovah's Witnesses, and roughly 12 million who claim to believe there is no supreme being at all. Very small pockets of the population practice Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism.

Most people are aware that Brazil is a large melting pot of cultures and backgrounds, but what ethnic groups are included in Brazil's population? Ethnic backgrounds of the Brazilian people include: Brazilian, Italian, Spanish, Arab, Polish, Portuguese, Japanese, German, Indigenous, Jewish, Black, and African.

View the original article here

The facts of Brazil include information about country's people and culture, but also include interesting information about the climate, economy, geographic location, and much more.

Brazil is a unique country in that it is a melting pot of people from several ethnic backgrounds and cultures. The result is a diverse and rich modern Brazilian culture of music, art, theatre, sports, family units, and a country full of friendly and generous people.

Brazil is South America's largest country boasting over 3 million square miles of land. Brazil can also boast that it has just over 21,000 square miles of water included in its geographical scope. It comes in as the world's 5th largest country in total area and total population within that area. It's the 3rd largest country within the Americas. Brazil is such a large geographical area; the country spans three time zones!

The Atlantic Ocean is on the eastern boundary of Brazil providing the country with just under 5,000 miles of gorgeous coastline. Northern boundaries include Guyana, Venezuela, French Guiana, and Suriname. Columbia is on the northwest side of Brazil. Bolivia and Peru bound Brazil on the western side and Paraguay and Argentina bound Brazil on the southwest side. Directly south is the small country of Uruguay.

Bodies of water on Brazil's borders include several archipelagos in addition to the Atlantic Ocean. They are small, but the archipelagos are considered a part of Brazil's territory.

Brazil is a country to watch economically. The country already holds 8th place in the world's GDP and is running 9th in the world when it comes to how much it can potentially purchase a country. Brazil is constantly evolving and is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing countries economically globally. The 2010 economic forecast for Brazil is estimated to grow by 6.5%! They're definitely a country for the world to watch.

When the first people came to Brazil years ago, they developed the coastline of the country while pretty much avoiding the interior of the country. Even today, the richest areas of Brazil are found along the coastline, with the poorer people living in near poverty in the interior and rural areas of Brazil.

The federation of Brazil is split up across 26 states and one overall federal district. Municipalities exist within the states. Each state collects taxes, has a governor, and a legislative body who is elected by the people of that state. Each state also receives a percentage of tax money directly from the federal government. The states each have a court of law to try cases of common law.

The climate of Brazil is primarily tropical, but there are other types of weather conditions across the country due to the different topography. Brazil enjoys five overall climate types including semiarid, tropical, equatorial, temperate, and highland tropical. The major climates in the country include:

The population of Brazil as of the most recent count is around 193 million souls. The breakdown of the cultures and ethnicity of the people within this vast country is quite interesting.

Southern Brazil has the largest percentage of Caucasian people at roughly 79% as of the census taken in 2005. Brazil's southeastern region has the most diverse population of the country with a mix of people from black, Indian, and white backgrounds.

African-Brazilians make up 80% of the population in northeastern Brazil. Central-West Brazil, which is where the capital of the country is located, enjoys a diverse population of German, Italian, Portuguese, and Indian people. The Amerindian culture is seen throughout the Northern population of Brazil.

The population of Brazilians consists primarily of males and females between the ages of 15 years old and 64 years old. The percentages - approximately - look like this:

The Roman Catholic religion is the primary religion practiced in Brazil. Nearly 75% of Brazilians call themselves Catholic, which amounts to somewhere around 130 million people. There are around 28 million Protestants, 2.2 million practicing Spiritism, 1 million or so Jehovah's Witnesses, and roughly 12 million who claim to believe there is no supreme being at all. Very small pockets of the population practice Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism.

Most people are aware that Brazil is a large melting pot of cultures and backgrounds, but what ethnic groups are included in Brazil's population? Ethnic backgrounds of the Brazilian people include: Brazilian, Italian, Spanish, Arab, Polish, Portuguese, Japanese, German, Indigenous, Jewish, Black, and African.

View the original article here

The facts of Brazil include information about country's people and culture, but also include interesting information about the climate, economy, geographic location, and much more.

Brazil is a unique country in that it is a melting pot of people from several ethnic backgrounds and cultures. The result is a diverse and rich modern Brazilian culture of music, art, theatre, sports, family units, and a country full of friendly and generous people.

Brazil is South America's largest country boasting over 3 million square miles of land. Brazil can also boast that it has just over 21,000 square miles of water included in its geographical scope. It comes in as the world's 5th largest country in total area and total population within that area. It's the 3rd largest country within the Americas. Brazil is such a large geographical area; the country spans three time zones!

The Atlantic Ocean is on the eastern boundary of Brazil providing the country with just under 5,000 miles of gorgeous coastline. Northern boundaries include Guyana, Venezuela, French Guiana, and Suriname. Columbia is on the northwest side of Brazil. Bolivia and Peru bound Brazil on the western side and Paraguay and Argentina bound Brazil on the southwest side. Directly south is the small country of Uruguay.

Bodies of water on Brazil's borders include several archipelagos in addition to the Atlantic Ocean. They are small, but the archipelagos are considered a part of Brazil's territory.

Brazil is a country to watch economically. The country already holds 8th place in the world's GDP and is running 9th in the world when it comes to how much it can potentially purchase a country. Brazil is constantly evolving and is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing countries economically globally. The 2010 economic forecast for Brazil is estimated to grow by 6.5%! They're definitely a country for the world to watch.

When the first people came to Brazil years ago, they developed the coastline of the country while pretty much avoiding the interior of the country. Even today, the richest areas of Brazil are found along the coastline, with the poorer people living in near poverty in the interior and rural areas of Brazil.

The federation of Brazil is split up across 26 states and one overall federal district. Municipalities exist within the states. Each state collects taxes, has a governor, and a legislative body who is elected by the people of that state. Each state also receives a percentage of tax money directly from the federal government. The states each have a court of law to try cases of common law.

The climate of Brazil is primarily tropical, but there are other types of weather conditions across the country due to the different topography. Brazil enjoys five overall climate types including semiarid, tropical, equatorial, temperate, and highland tropical. The major climates in the country include:

The population of Brazil as of the most recent count is around 193 million souls. The breakdown of the cultures and ethnicity of the people within this vast country is quite interesting.

Southern Brazil has the largest percentage of Caucasian people at roughly 79% as of the census taken in 2005. Brazil's southeastern region has the most diverse population of the country with a mix of people from black, Indian, and white backgrounds.

African-Brazilians make up 80% of the population in northeastern Brazil. Central-West Brazil, which is where the capital of the country is located, enjoys a diverse population of German, Italian, Portuguese, and Indian people. The Amerindian culture is seen throughout the Northern population of Brazil.

The population of Brazilians consists primarily of males and females between the ages of 15 years old and 64 years old. The percentages - approximately - look like this:

The Roman Catholic religion is the primary religion practiced in Brazil. Nearly 75% of Brazilians call themselves Catholic, which amounts to somewhere around 130 million people. There are around 28 million Protestants, 2.2 million practicing Spiritism, 1 million or so Jehovah's Witnesses, and roughly 12 million who claim to believe there is no supreme being at all. Very small pockets of the population practice Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism.

Most people are aware that Brazil is a large melting pot of cultures and backgrounds, but what ethnic groups are included in Brazil's population? Ethnic backgrounds of the Brazilian people include: Brazilian, Italian, Spanish, Arab, Polish, Portuguese, Japanese, German, Indigenous, Jewish, Black, and African.

View the original article here