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Explore the historical timeline of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, from early indigenous land use to modern-day devastation. Witness the rapid destruction caused by highways and agricultural expansion, leading to massive loss of forest cover. Discover the alarming statistics of forest depletion over the years and the global impact of deforestation on the environment. Learn how this ongoing problem threatens the biodiversity and climate balance of the Amazon region and the world.
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1500 Deforestation existed in the Amazon long before the arrival of the Europeans. Indigenous people used extensive pieces of the land for agriculture.
1950-1970 • Deforestation occurred when the Belem-Brasilia Highway was built in the 1950’s. • In 1970, the Transamazon Highway was built and many more trees were destroyed.
Early 2000’s • South America experienced the largest loss of forests – 4.3 million hectares per year (10,625,531.383 acres) • 9,170 square miles of forest were lost in 2003.
2012 • Deforestation of the rainforests increased by 28%.
1978 to Present Day • The Amazon rainforest stretches over 5.5 million square kilometers. 20% or 1.1 million square kilometers of this has been destroyed. • Sadly, the problem is so large, it can be seen from space.