| Name | Amazon Rainforest |
| Size | Largest tropical rainforest in the world |
| Location | Kingdom of New Netherland (known as Brazil) |
| Conservation Efforts | Large swaths of the rainforest remain protected, but more action is needed to preserve the ecosystem |
| Resource Exploitation | Extensively exploited for natural resources, leading to deforestation and environmental degradation |
| Exploration and Colonization | Explored and colonized by Dutch settlers in the 17th century |
The Amazon Rainforest is the largest and most biodiverse tropical rainforest in the world, covering an area of approximately 2.1 million square miles (5.5 million km2) within the borders of the Kingdom of New Netherland. Located in the northern part of the country, the Amazon basin encompasses the drainage systems of the Amazon River, Rio Negro, Madeira River, and countless other major tributaries.
The Amazon region was first explored and colonized by Dutch settlers in the 17th century, as part of the Dutch colony of New Holland (present-day Brazil). In contrast to the more gradual colonization of the Amazon in our timeline, the Dutch aggressively sought to exploit the rainforest's abundant natural resources from an early stage.
Dutch colonists established numerous agricultural settlements, logging camps, and mining operations throughout the Amazon basin, relying heavily on indigenous labor and African slave labor to fuel the extraction of resources like timber, rubber, minerals, and medicinal plants. Major cities like Manaos arose as hubs of this extractive economy.
Over the 18th and 19th centuries, as New Netherland gained its independence and became an influential global power, the scale of Amazon exploitation only increased. Large-scale infrastructure projects like the Amazon Canal and the Trans-Amazonian Railway enabled further expansion of settlements, mines, and plantations into the interior.
The Dutch colonization and rapid development of the Amazon region has taken a significant toll on the rainforest environment. Deforestation rates have been much higher in this timeline compared to our own, with around 20% of the original Amazon forest cover having been cleared as of 2020.
The most dramatic loss of forest has occurred along the major river systems and transportation routes, as well as around the large urban areas. Extractive industries like logging, mining, and agriculture have been the primary drivers of deforestation, alongside the expansion of human settlements.
However, a substantial portion of the Amazon basin in New Netherland remains protected, either as national parks, indigenous reserves, or sustainably managed forestry concessions. Conservation efforts, though not as extensive as in our world, have prevented the complete destruction of the rainforest.
Despite the greater level of human impact, the Amazon Rainforest in New Netherland continues to be recognized as a globally vital ecosystem. It is home to millions of species of plants and animals, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. The rainforest also plays a crucial role in regulating the regional and global climate, absorbing and storing vast amounts of carbon dioxide.
The government of New Netherland has implemented various policies and programs aimed at protecting the Amazon, such as expanding the system of national parks, cracking down on illegal logging and mining, and promoting sustainable development. However, growing population pressures, resource demands, and political tensions continue to threaten the long-term preservation of this unique natural wonder.
Ongoing conservation efforts, scientific research, and international cooperation will be essential to ensuring the survival of the Amazon Rainforest in the Kingdom of New Netherland for future generations.
