Amazonia
/ˌæməzˈoʊniə/noun
A geographical name for the Amazon River basin and surrounding region, especially in South America.
Did you know?Amazonia takes its name from the Amazon River, whose European name was linked to Greek Amazons; the traditional claim that Amazons were called that because they cut off one breast is now widely regarded as folk etymology.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Antiquity
Greek
Ἀμαζόνες (Amazónes)
“The Amazons, legendary warrior women; the origin of the Greek name itself is uncertain.”
16th Century
Spanish
Amazonas
“The Amazon River, named after an encounter Europeans interpreted through the classical story of the Amazons.”
16th Century
Portuguese
Amazonas
“The river and its surrounding territory in Portuguese geographical usage.”
Early Modern Latin
Latin
Amazonia
“The land or region associated with the Amazon River.”
19th Century
English
Amazonia
“A geographical term for the Amazon basin and broader tropical region.”
Modern English
English
Amazonia
“The Amazon region of South America, especially its rainforest and drainage basin.”