<P> The highest point in the watershed of the Amazon is the peak of Yerupajá at 6,635 m (21,768 ft). </P> <P> The Amazon basin formerly flowed west to Pacific Ocean until the Andes formed, causing the basin to flow eastward towards the Atlantic Ocean . </P> <P> Politically the basin is divided into the Brazilian Amazônia Legal, the Peruvian Amazon, the Amazon region of Colombia and parts of Bolivia, Ecuador and the Venezuelan state of Amazonas . </P> <P> Plant growth is dense and its variety of animal inhabitants is comparatively high due to the heavy rainfall and the dense and extensive evergreen and coniferous forests . Little sunlight reaches the ground due to the dense roof canopy by plants . The ground remains dark and damp and only shade tolerant vegetation will grow here . Orchids and bromeliads exploit trees and other plants to get closer to the sunlight . They grow hanging onto the branches or tree trunks with aerial roots, not as parasites but as epiphytes . Species of tropical trees native to the Amazon include Brazil nut, rubber tree and Assai palm . </P>

Where is amazon basin located on a map