Question: where did the amazon river get its name

title: Amazon River
text: While debate as to whether the Amazon or the Nile is the world 's longest river has gone on for many years , the historic consensus of geographic authorities has been to regard the Amazon as the second longest river in the world , with the Nile being the longest . However , the Amazon has been measured by different geographers as being anywhere between 6,259 and 6,992 kilometres ( 3,889 and 4,345 mi ) long . It is often said to be `` at least '' 6,400 kilometres ( 4,000 mi ) long . The Nile is reported to be anywhere from 5,499 to 6,690 kilometres ( 3,417 to 4,157 mi ) . Often it is said to be `` about '' 6,650 kilometres ( 4,130 mi ) long . There are many factors that can affect these measurements .