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Jungle Facts

Jungle Facts
Jungles are areas of land covered with dense trees and vegetation. The origin of the term jungle is from the word Jangla which means dry ground - desert. It was interpreted to mean 'tangled thicket' and has often been used to refer to rainforests. Jungles or rainforests can be found on all inhabited land but may include various vegetation types in various climate zones. It is not possible to have a specific definition because of the variation in these factors. Most people think of the tropics when they think of the jungle. Jungles can be threatened by global warming, agriculture, urban spread, and deforestation.
Interesting Jungle Facts:
It is estimated that 6% of the land on earth is covered in rainforest. Half of the plant and animal species in the world live there.
The rainforest canopy can be so tickly grown that a raindrop can take 10 minutes to travel to the floor.
The Amazon rainforest is so large that it would be the 9th largest country in the world if it were classified as a country. It is located in South America.
In New Guinea's jungles the Korowai people live in tree houses 45m high off the ground.
Australia's jungles have flowers not found anywhere else in the world - in fact 80% can't be found elsewhere.
In the Tasmanian jungles there are pine trees as old as two thousand years.
On the island Dominica in the Caribbean there is a rainforest lake that is 88 degrees Celsius.
Located in the jungles of Thailand are elephants that are fed coffee beans. 15-30 hours later they excrete the beans in their dung and it is harvested to make the most expensive coffee in the world - called Black Ivory Coffee.
It is estimated that roughly 20% of the fresh water in the world is found in the Amazon Basin.
Jungles have existed on earth for millions and millions of years. They are the oldest ecosystem on earth.
Jungles are believed to be home to more than 30 million species of animals and plants.
The rainforests are home to 70% of the plants believed to be helpful in treating cancer patients.
Jungles are so dense with trees and vegetation that only 1% of the sunlight makes it to the floor.
Jungles are important as they help to regulate temperature and patterns of weather. They are important for keeping the climate of the world in check.
It is estimated that one quarter of all the medications used today originated in some way in the rainforests.
Due to deforestation by man, it is estimated that 137 animal and plant species in the rainforests become extinct every day.
It is estimated that 50 million people live in jungles and call them home. Their food is being eliminated by deforestation.
Jungles are considered to be 'carbon sinks' which means they absorb more carbon than they release.
Jungles and rainforests will be extinct in 40 years if deforestation is not halted.
Chocolate, coffee, rice, tomatoes, and bananas all originated in jungles.


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