March 20, 2025

AMAZON RIVER

Amazon River History Quiz (Answer Key At Bottom)

1. The Amazon River flows primarily through which country?
a) Colombia
b) Peru
c) Brazil
d) Venezuela

2. Which European explorer is credited with being the first to navigate the Amazon River in 1541?
a) Christopher Columbus
b) Francisco Pizarro
c) Vicente Yáñez Pinzón
d) Francisco de Orellana

3. The Amazon River is named after a legend involving which group?
a) Amazonian jaguars
b) Female warriors
c) Giant snakes
d) An indigenous tribe

4. The Amazon River is considered the second-longest river in the world after which river?
a) Nile
b) Yangtze
c) Mississippi
d) Congo

5. The Amazon River basin is home to approximately what percentage of the world's known animal species?
a) 5%
b) 10%
c) 20%
d) 25%

6. What is the estimated length of the Amazon River?
a) 2,500 miles
b) 3,000 miles
c) 4,000 miles
d) 4,300 miles

7. Which ancient civilization is believed to have inhabited parts of the Amazon rainforest before European exploration?
a) Inca
b) Maya
c) Moche
d) The Omagua

8. Which mythological creatures did Francisco de Orellana report encountering, leading to the river's name?
a) Sirens
b) Mermaids
c) Amazons
d) Dragons

9. During which century did the Amazon become a major route for rubber extraction?
a) 16th century
b) 17th century
c) 19th century
d) 20th century

10. The Amazon River discharges into which body of water?
a) Caribbean Sea
b) Pacific Ocean
c) Atlantic Ocean
d) Gulf of Mexico

ANSWER KEY BELOW

-----------------------------------
1. c) Brazil
2. d) Francisco de Orellana
3. b) Female warriors
4. a) Nile
5. c) 20%
6. d) 4,300 miles
7. d) The Omagua
8. c) Amazons
9. c) 19th century
10. c) Atlantic Ocean

How did you do?

The Amazon River has a rich and complex history that stretches back thousands of years. Long before European exploration, the Amazon Basin was home to numerous indigenous tribes with advanced knowledge of agriculture, fishing, and forest management. These civilizations, such as the Omagua and the Tapajós, established complex societies along the river's banks.

The first known European to explore the Amazon was Spanish explorer Vicente Yáñez Pinzón in 1500. However, it wasn't until 1541 that the river was fully navigated by Francisco de Orellana, who named it "Amazon" after claiming to have encountered fierce female warriors reminiscent of the Amazons from Greek mythology.