Loren McIntyre

Loren McIntyre (1917-2003) was an American explorer, photographer, and author, best known for his expeditions in the Amazon rainforest and his claims regarding the source of the Amazon River.

McIntyre dedicated a significant portion of his life to exploring South America, documenting its geography, cultures, and natural history through photography and writing. He worked extensively with the National Geographic Society, contributing numerous articles and photographs to their magazine.

His most notable claim, based on a 1971 expedition, was that the Mantaro River in Peru, and specifically the Carhuanta spring, was the true source of the Amazon River based on its length from the river's mouth. This challenged the previously accepted source at the Apurímac River's headwaters. McIntyre argued that the Mantaro, despite its dry season flow reduction caused by a hydroelectric dam, contributed the most water annually to the Amazon basin.

While McIntyre's claim gained considerable attention, it remains a subject of debate and ongoing scientific research. Subsequent studies have supported different source locations based on various criteria, including river length, drainage area, and continuous flow. However, McIntyre's work spurred further investigation into the Amazon's true source and contributed significantly to our understanding of the Amazon River system.

McIntyre authored several books detailing his expeditions and observations, including "The Incredible Incas and Their Timeless Land" and "Amazonia". His photographs and writings provide valuable insights into the Amazonian environment and the lives of the people who inhabit it.