The relief of the extra-Andean Amazon basin

Abstract

This chapter presents a condensed account of the relief and relief history of extra-Andean Amazonia. Ten years ago such an attempt would probably not have resulted in more than a description of general features known for a long time, and of morphogenic theories advanced a century ago. Few large-scale maps were available. Information on elevations, contours and gradients was non-existent. Aerial photographs were rare and not easily accessible. Excursions from the banks of the rivers inland were not only made difficult by rough going across the jungle, swamps and unexpectedly rugged topography, but also by the hazards of finding ones own position below the canopy of the forest.