Francisco de Orellana (oh-ray-YAH-nuh) was one of the first people to explore this river; later, Alexander von Humboldt found that the Casiquiare (KA-see-kee-AH-ray) River connects it to the Orinoco.
The city of Manaus (mah-NOW-us) marks the endpoint of large commercial shipping on this river. Francisco de Orellana (oh-ray-YAH-nuh) was one of the first people to explore this river; later, Alexander von Humboldt found that the Casiquiare (KA-see-kee-AH-ray) River connects it to the Orinoco. This waterway is the namesake of the largest species of river dolphin, has major tributaries called the Madeira and Rio Negro, and originates in the Peruvian Andes before flowing across northern Brazil. For 10 points, identify this South American river which, in volume of water and area of drainage, is the world's largest.
The city of Manaus (mah-NOW-us) marks the endpoint of large commercial shipping on this river.
{Amazon} River [or Rio {Amazonas}; or {Río Marañón}; or Rio {Solimões}]