The Disadvantages of Living in the Tropical Rainforest

Tropical rainforests are found along the Equator as well as just south and north of it. Central and South America, Africa and Asia all have tropical rainforests. Population in and around tropical rainforests is small. Because there are so many disadvantages and so few positives of living in the rainforest, the area is scarcely populated. Parts of the rainforests are also protected, so it’s not legally possible to live there.

The weather in the tropical rainforest is always hot and humid. It’s also not rare to see rain every day or at least on most days. It can rain more than 100 inches a year. Because the rainforest is so humid, steam raising from the ground is not uncommon, especially on those days when it’s not raining. The area is always wet, always humid. Temperatures can easily rise to the mid-90s (Fahrenheit), but because of the humidity, it feels much higher. This would make life there very uncomfortable. So much rain also makes it difficult to grow most crops, as they would rot.

Tropical diseases thrive in the rainforest area because of the hot, humid climate. Many are difficult to treat and many are deadly if not caught early. Malaria, a common disease found in tropical rainforests, can be treated but there’s no vaccine for prevention. Other common tropical diseases include dengue, Chagas disease, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis and African trypanosomiasis. Some of these are bacterial disease, some are parasites. If you were living in the tropical rainforest, your chances of contracting a tropical disease at some point are high.

The populated areas surrounding tropical rainforests tend to be poor. According to the University of Connecticut, the poorest people in Brazil live in the rainforest area. Areas surrounding tropical rainforests are also mostly local. This means few hospitals, schools and other comforts of modern life. When these are available, they are usually of lower quality than those you would find in more urban areas.

Areas near tropical rainforests are scarcely populated or rural; if you need or want something from town, you’ll have to travel to get it. Distances could be long and you might lack basic comforts, such as electricity, Internet connection or potable water.