Amazon: From Online Bookstore to Global Tech Giant Founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos, Amazon initially operated as an online bookstore. Its rapid expansion led to its current status as a multinational technology behemoth, encompassing e-commerce, cloud computing (AWS), digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. This growth has been fueled by aggressive reinvestment and technological innovation, transforming numerous industries. The company's portfolio extends beyond retail, encompassing subsidiaries like Zoox (self-driving cars), Kuiper Systems (satellite internet), and Amazon Lab126 (hardware R&D). Acquisitions, such as Whole Foods Market in 2017, significantly broadened its reach into physical retail. Amazon's entertainment arm distributes content through Prime Video, MGM+, Amazon Music, and Twitch, while Amazon Publishing produces books, and Amazon MGM Studios creates film and television content. The company also manufactures consumer electronics including Kindle e-readers and Echo devices. By 2023, Amazon had become the world's largest online retailer and marketplace, cloud computing provider (via AWS), and live-streaming service (Twitch). Its Amazon Prime subscription service, boasting 200 million subscribers globally, significantly contributed to surpassing Walmart as the world's largest retailer outside China in 2021. Despite its immense success, Amazon faces criticism regarding data collection, work culture, tax practices, and alleged anti-competitive behavior. As of October 2024, it remains a leading global internet company, holding the 12th position among the world's most visited websites, with substantial market dominance in the US.