Amazon Rainforest - Case Study (AQA GCSE Geography): Revision Notes

2.2.4 Amazon Rainforest - Case Study

Why is Deforestation a Problem in the Amazon?

1. Size

• The Amazon covers an area of around 8 million km² and is mainly found in Brazil (and Peru).
• Since 1978, over 750,000 km² (three times the size of the UK) has been destroyed.

2. Causes

• 70% of deforestation was caused by cattle ranching.
• 25% was caused by agriculture and farming.
• 3% was lost to logging.
• 2% was lost to other activities such as mineral extraction (gold mining), road building, and dam building.

Amazon Rainforest

1. Population Pressure

• Population growth and migration to the area put pressure on the Amazon rainforest.

• The Brazilian Government offers land in the rainforest to poor people to reduce overcrowding in cities.