Millions of years ago, the Amazon River flowed westward into the Pacific Ocean, until the rise of the Andes reversed its course.
Why it is true
Before the Andes mountain range formed, the massive river drained into the Pacific. As the mountains rose, the river was blocked and eventually carved a new path to the Atlantic.
Source: Geology
Would you rather be asked first?
This is the reading side of the site, so the answer is in the sentence above — that is the whole point of it. Test yourself works the other way round: the question comes on its own, and the fact and the explanation only appear once you have answered.
Related facts
The Amazon River carries more water than the next seven largest rivers combined.
Tristan da Cunha is the most remote inhabited archipelago in the world.
There is not a single bridge crossing the Amazon River.
A submerged tropical island the size of Iceland was discovered in the Atlantic.


