Locally known as the Oriente, the Amazon basin, located east of the Andes mountains in Ecuador, is an incredible rainforest that spans 135,600 square kilometers. Although the majority of the Amazon rainforest is in Brazil, the rainforest also stretches into neighboring countries including Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru. The general features of this region include rainforests, floodplain forests, and savannas. The lowlands are covered with hills, terraces, and alluvial plains. Additionally, there are also many rivers in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The most notable river is the Napo River. It flows down from the Andes eastward to join the Amazon River in Peru, and the Napo River totals 668 miles long – the largest river in Ecuador! Furthermore, the Ecuadorian Amazon experiences monthly variation in weather. Even though the region has an average temperature of 78°F, during November, December, and January the temperature can increase up to 86°F and down to 73°F in July, the region's coldest month. The Ecuadorian Amazon has two main seasons: a dry season and a wet season. The driest month is August. During that time, the rainforest may only experience 2 inches of rainfall per month. In contrast, during the wet season from December to May there can be up to 8 inches of rainfall per month. These intense and periodic rains are the foundation for the unique, thriving plants and animals in the rainforest climate. It is home to over 300 species of fish, 350 species of reptiles, and more than 800 species of fish! For these reasons, the Ecuadorian Amazon Basin is a place of gorgeous biodiversity and incredible habitats, creating a destination travellers must be sure not to miss.