July 31, 2004
Covering over half of the entire country, the Amazon Rainforest in Peru is composed of two distinct regions. The “selva baja,” or “lowland jungle,” features extremely warm temperatures and humidity, producing 100 inches (1,639 ml) of rainfall annually. This rainfall causes poor soil that is low in nutrients. The “selva alta,” or “highland jungle,” on the other hand, is home to the majority of the Amazon’s flora and fauna, as it boasts considerably milder temperatures.
Considered one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, the Peruvian Amazon is host to the largest variety of bird species in the world, many of magnificent colors and patterns, from wood-peckers and hummingbirds to larger birds like heron and petrel. Amphibians, butterflies and mammals are other highly populous species that live in the Amazon. While the rainforest is home for many animal species, only five per cent of the nation’s population resides there, most of them indigenous peoples.
