The Amazon River is used to help transport people. Indigenous peoples make use of canoes and rafts and can travel along the river to different locations for various purposes, one of which would be to trade. The Amazon River is also important for scientific research.

The Amazon River is a vital "lifeline" for humanity, functioning as a primary transportation corridor for millions of people in South America where roads are often non-existent. It provides a massive source of food and livelihoods through its diverse fisheries, supporting both local communities and urban centers like Manaus. At a global level, the river and its surrounding basin are critical to the Earth's hydrological cycle; the vast amount of freshwater it discharges into the Atlantic influences ocean currents and weather patterns as far away as Europe. Furthermore, the Amazon rainforest, sustained by the river, acts as a massive carbon sink, storing 150-200 billion tons of carbon, which is essential for global climate stabilization. In 2026, the river's health is increasingly monitored as a barometer for climate change, as its seasonal floods and droughts directly impact global food security and biodiversity.