The spectacle of falling water is one of the most enchanting natural phenomena. And the higher the waterfall, the more picturesque it usually looks. The question of which of the world's waterfalls is the highest is difficult to answer unambiguously, since the difference between them is just a few meters. Therefore, we bring to your attention the ten largest waterfalls on our planet.
10 tallest waterfalls in the world
An interesting fact is that Zeygalan in North Ossetia (about 600 m) is the highest waterfall in Russia. Now you know where the highest waterfalls in different parts of the world are.
Angel Falls - the highest in the world
This highest waterfall in the world is located in Venezuela, near the Guiana Plateau. He was named Angel after a pilot named James Angel (his last name is Angel, which means "angel" in Spanish). It was he who became the discoverer of the waterfall, and thanks to his surname Angel is sometimes called the Fall of Angels.
Angel was little known to many people for a long time, since it is located in a place that is very inconvenient for tourist travel. On one side, the highest waterfall in the world is adjacent to a wild, impenetrable jungle - a tropical jungle, and on the other - steep cliffs of a mountain range more than 2500 meters high. Pilot Angel made his discovery in 1935, and quite by accident. He was flying over the Carrao River, trying to find a deposit of gold ore, when the wheel of his monoplane broke just above the swampy jungle at the very top of the plateau. As a result, Angel had to make an emergency landing, and then walk down the mountain on foot for 11 long days. Upon returning, the pilot immediately reported his grand discovery to the National Geographic Society, and since then the tallest waterfall on the planet has been named after him.
A little earlier, in 1910, Sanchez la Cruz, a famous researcher, became interested in this natural phenomenon. However, due to an unfortunate coincidence, he was unable to announce this to the whole world, and the official opening of the waterfall belongs to Angel.
As for the height of the tallest waterfall in South America, it is almost a full kilometer, or more precisely, 979 meters. Falling from such a huge distance, the water stream partially turns into tiny water dust. Such fog can be seen several kilometers from Angel.
the site provides an overview of the highest waterfalls in the world. Waterfalls in a simplified form are divided into two types: cascading and free fall. The first are a series (cascade) of small waterfalls following each other, or rocks flowing down the slope at a large angle. Free-fall waterfalls are the classic waterfalls that we all imagine - the river breaks off a cliff and the water falls freely down. Most often, waterfalls are a mixture of several types, including cascades and free fall.
1. Angel (1054 meters)
Angel is a waterfall on the Churun River (Caroni River basin) on the Guiana Plateau. Located in Bolivar state, 60 km southeast of the village of Canaima. Tallest waterfall in the world, total height 1054 meters, the height of continuous free fall is 807 meters.
Named after pilot James Angel, who flew over the falls in 1933. The waterfall is located in the tropical forests of the Venezuelan state of Bolivar, in the Canaima National Park. Water cascades from the top of Auyantepui, the largest of the Venezuelan tepuis - its name means “mountain of the devil” in Russian.
The height of the fall is so great that before reaching the ground, the water is sprayed into tiny particles and turns into fog. Fog can be felt several kilometers away. The falling water flows into the Kerep River. In 1994, UNESCO designated Canaima National Park, which includes the waterfall, as a World Heritage Site.
2. Tugela (933 meters)
Tugela is a cascading waterfall on the Tugela River in the Drakensberg Mountains. Located in Natal province, 75 km southeast of the village of Estcourt. Waterfall height 933 m.
It consists of five steps, the height of the largest step is 411m. The Tugela falls in a narrow ribbon from the eastern cliff of the Drakensberg Mountains, in the Royal Natal National Park, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is clearly visible after heavy rain or at the end of the day, shining from the reflection of the Sun.
The source of the Tugela River is located several kilometers from the cliff from which the waterfall falls. The cliff is often covered with snow during the winter months.
3. Three Sisters (914 meters)
Three Sisters (Spanish: Cataratas las Tres Hermanas) is a waterfall in South America, in the Rio Cutevirini river basin, in the central part. The water of the waterfall falls down into a deep canyon, five ledges with a total height 914 m.
The width of the waterfall is 12 m, it discharges on average 1 m3 of water every second, and during flood periods the water flow can reach up to 6 m3/sec. In terms of height, the Three Sisters Falls rank third in the world after Angel and Tugela Falls.
The waterfall consists of three tiers separated from each other. From the air you can only see two of them, but the third is a huge pool, where the water falls as a result. The waterfall is surrounded on all sides by tall trees that reach 30 meters.
4. Olopena (900 meters)
Oloʻupena Falls, or Oloupena Falls) - a waterfall with a height of 900 meters, located in the northeastern part of the Hawaiian island of Molokai,. The waterfall was formed on a short, seasonal stream and falls over the edge of one of the highest coastal cliffs in the world, located between the Pelekunu and Wailau valleys.
Olopena is quite thin and is distinguished by numerous transitions down from one level to another. The water does not fall down, but slides along an almost vertical cliff, falling directly into the Pacific Ocean. The waterfall can only be seen from the ocean or from the air, since it cut deep into the rocks and therefore could not be found for a long time.
Not far from Olopen there are other, smaller waterfalls, which also fall directly along a sheer cliff into the Pacific Ocean.
5. Yumbilla (895.5 meters)
Yumbilla is a waterfall in the Amazonas region. It is the fifth highest known waterfall in the world. It was opened at the end of 2007.
Although the waterfall is high, the volume of water falling is insignificant. The height of the waterfall was measured by the National Geographic Institute of Peru using laser equipment. The upper edge of the waterfall is located at an altitude of 2723.6 m above sea level, and the lower edge is at an altitude of 1828.1 m above sea level. Waterfall height - 895.5 meters.
The waterfall is located in an area that is part of the eastern Peruvian Andes, also known as the Cordillera Oriental.
Angel Falls is located on the territory of the state of Venezuela in the Canaima National Park on the mainland of South America. It was discovered by the Spanish pioneer Ernesto Sanchez la Cruz, not so long ago, namely in 1910. However, the whole world learned about it even later - in 1935, when it was discovered while flying nearby by American pilot and gold miner J.C. Angel. Actually, the waterfall is named after him (or rather, his surname) (in Spanish, Angel sounds like Angel).
The height of Angel Falls is 979 (according to other sources - 1054) meters, which is twenty times higher than Niagara. It falls from the top of Mount Auyantepui. Moreover, falling from a kilometer height, the water does not reach the end, but descends as fog spreading for many kilometers around the waterfall. The height of the giant was measured in 1949 by an official expedition of the National Geographic Society.
The discovery was a matter of chance; the monoplane he was piloting got stuck in the impassable jungle. This is where Jimmy noticed the giant waterfall. His plane lay at the site of the unsuccessful landing for 33 years, remaining a mute witness to the discovery of its owner, until it was lifted by a helicopter.
In 2009, the late President of Venezuela, guided by anti-imperialist aspirations, renamed his country's main attraction Kerepakupai-meru (one of the names of the local population). But for the whole world it is still better known by its original name.
Oddly enough, the tallest waterfall in the world - Angel (full name Salto Angel) - is not the most famous and popular in the world. Niagara Falls in North America and Victoria Falls in Africa are much more popular. This is largely due to the not very favorable location of the giant. It is surrounded on all sides by impenetrable tropical forest. The only way to get there is by plane or helicopter, or along the Kerep River, Angel’s final destination.
Tours to the Salto Angel Falls are organized by air from the capital of the country, Caracas, and from the city of Ciudad Bolivar, and they are sold in packages. The package also includes landing in the village of Canaima, where the entrance to the National Park is located, subsequent water crossing directly to the waterfall, food, and all the necessary accessories.
In conclusion, it is worth saying that Venezuela is rich in waterfalls. In particular, not far from Angel there is the Acha Falls, a little further - the Arrasine Falls, on the border with Guyana.
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Angel Falls is the highest waterfall in the world and the main attraction of Venezuela.
It is located on the territory. The attraction of this park is the huge tepuis (table mountains) - high mountains with vertical steep edges and a wide flat top. From one of the largest tepui, bearing the name Auyantepui (translated as Devil's Mountain), the highest waterfall in the world falls from a height of 979 meters into the valley of the tropical jungle. Angel Falls.
Angel Falls in South America
The second highest waterfall in the world is South African - 948 meters. In comparison, one of the most famous and popular waterfalls located in South Africa, Victoria Falls is only 107 meters high.
Angel Falls is the Kerepakupai River falling down from almost a kilometer in height, which is fed by the waters of tropical rains at the top of the Auyantepui plateau. Viewed from below, Angel appears to tumble over the edge of the tepui, but a closer look reveals how the Querepakupai River has carved the edge of a high-altitude plateau consisting mostly of layers of light red sandstone. Thus, Angel's free fall begins 50-100 meters below from many ragged crevices on the edge of a high-mountain plateau. During its fall, a huge stream of water dissipates in the air into thousands of small raindrops, and only a small part of the waterfall reaches the base of the mountain, where a small lake is formed, which then merges with the Churun River.
Who discovered Angel Falls
The man who discovered Angel Falls, is considered to be the American James Crawford Angel. The waterfall was named after him. In the thirties of the last century, James was searching for diamonds and gold ore, flying around remote areas of Venezuela in his plane. He first saw it in 1933. In 1937, James, along with his wife and three other associates, decided to return to Venezuela and explore the waterfall in detail. While attempting to land the plane on top, the plane's wheels became stuck in soft soil, causing it to tilt and be severely damaged. James and his companions had to return on foot. Surprisingly, after eleven days of making their way through the jungle, they were able to reach the nearest settlement. The story of his journey spread very quickly around the world.
Interestingly, Angel Falls was discovered in 1910 by explorer Ernesto Sanchez La Cruz, but he was unable (or unwilling) to attract public attention to his discovery.
In 1994, Canaima National Park was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. And together with the Venezuelan reserve, its main treasure - the world’s highest waterfall - is considered to be the natural heritage of humanity. Angel Falls. By the way, since December 20, 2009 in Venezuela, the waterfall has been called by its historical name Kerepakupai meru, derived from the name of the Kerepakupai river. This is what Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez decided, considering that it was inappropriate for a Venezuelan waterfall to be named after an American pilot.
Angel Falls: how to get there
You can go on a trip to the base of Angel Falls from almost any city in Venezuela. There should be no problems with obtaining information, since Kanaima National Park and Angel Falls These are the main attractions of the country. Alternatively, stay at hotels in Caracas, Ciudad Bolivar or, for example, in Puerto Ordaz, from where you can fly to the small village of Canaima, located at the entrance to the National Park of the same name.
The waterfall is located in a remote, wild area among the tropical jungle. It can only be reached by motor boat or helicopter. The benefit of traveling by boat is that you can get to know the nature and wildlife of the park better, although this route, starting from the picturesque Canaima Lagoon, is quite difficult and takes several hours. The final stop on the way to the waterfall along the river will be a viewing point called Mirador Laime. It was named after the Latvian explorer Alexander Laime, who was the first to travel to the foot of the waterfall along the Churun River. In this place, the highest waterfall in the world will appear before you in all its unique beauty. You will not forget the spectacle that you will see here for the rest of your life.
Tissestrengene is a waterfall in Norway. Located east of the village of Tissedal, municipality of Odda, province of Hordaland. The total height of the waterfall is 646 meters, and the highest height of free fall of water is 312 meters. After the construction of a hydroelectric power station on the waterfall, there is no water in the waterfall for most of the year.
9. Cuqueran, 674 m, Venezuela
Cuqueran Falls is the second highest waterfall in Venezuela, and the second highest free fall of water in the world. Water falls from the tepui (table mountain) of the same name.
8. Mardalsfossen, 705 m, Norway
Mardalsfossen (Norwegian Mardalsfossen) is a waterfall in Norway, in the area of the municipality of Nesset in the province of Møre og Romsdal. The total height of the waterfall is 705 meters. The waterfall has several levels, the highest height of free fall of water is 358 meters. The greatest width of the waterfall is 24 meters.
The name of the waterfall comes from the words Mardalen (name of the valley) and foss (waterfall). The word Mardalen, in turn, probably comes from the words dal ("valley") and Mara ("dig"). The waterfall is depicted on the coat of arms of Nesset.
After the construction of a hydroelectric power station at the waterfall, water moves through the hydraulic system for most of the year. It passes through the waterfall only from June 20 to August 20, during the tourist season.
Espelands waterfall, on the Opo River, is often placed in 8th place, citing a height of 703 m. However, the real height of this waterfall is only 75 meters)
7. Yosemite Falls, 739 m, USA
The tallest waterfall in North America and the seventh highest waterfall in the world is Yosemite Falls (739 meters). The waterfall is located in the USA, California, in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is one of the most beautiful corners of the earth.
The waterfall consists of three cascades. The height of the upper cascade is 435 meters. The falls are fed by streams flowing from glaciers into Yosemite Valley. Therefore, during dry seasons, the water flow in the waterfall is significantly reduced, and sometimes completely dries up.
6. Mutarazi, 762 m, Zimbabwe
Mutarazi ranks sixth on the list of the highest waterfalls. This is a two-cascade waterfall 15 meters wide and 762 meters high. The waterfall is located in the Honda Valley in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe, on the river of the same name. According to legend, Princess Mutarazi saw a waterfall high in the mountains in a dream and ordered her subjects to find it. The waterfall was actually found and named after the princess.
Gokta is one of the highest waterfalls on Earth. It is located in the Peruvian province of Bongara, about 20 km north of Chachapoyas, the capital of the Amazonas region. Its height is 771 m. The volume of water fluctuates greatly depending on the amount of precipitation that falls in its small, rocky basin, located at an altitude of 2,500 to 3,000 m above sea level. The waterfall got its name from the name of a nearby village. A few kilometers north is the Yumbilla Falls, almost 900m high, but only during the rainy season.
The waterfall was first noticed in 2002 by German Stefan Ziemendorff during an expedition in an impassable natural reserve. At the end of February 2006, Ziemendorff and a Peruvian research team returned to measure its height. In this case, the measurement error could be 13.5 m.
4. Mongefossen, 773 m, Norway
Mongefossen (Norwegian Mongefossen) is the fourth highest waterfall in the world, located on the Monge River (Norwegian Monge) in Norway. It is located in the municipality of Røuma in the county of Møre og Romsdal. The height is about 773 meters. Like many other tall waterfalls in Norway, it is used for hydroelectric power, resulting in a reduction in water flow.
3. Utigård (Ramnefjellsfossen), 818 m, Norway
Norway is considered the “land of waterfalls”; the highest waterfalls in Europe are concentrated here. The highest of the Norwegian waterfalls and the third highest in the world is Utigård, its fall height is more than 818 meters. The waterfall rushes down from the Rumnefillbrina glacier (the largest branch glacier in Europe).
2. Tugela, 948 m, South Africa
Tugela is the second highest waterfall in the world. It consists of five free-falling cascades, the largest of which is 411 meters.
The Tugela falls in a narrow ribbon from the eastern cliff of the Drakensberg Mountains, in the Royal Natal National Park in KwaZulu, Natal Province, South Africa.
Tugela Falls - the second highest waterfall
1. Angel, 1054 meters, Venezuela
Angel (in Pemon language - Kerepakupai vena, which means “Waterfall of the deepest place”) - total height 1054 meters, continuous fall height 807 meters. Named after pilot James Angel, who flew over the falls in 1933.
Angel Falls - the tallest waterfall in the world
The waterfall is located in the tropical forests of Venezuela, in the Canaima National Park. Water cascades from the top of Auyantepui, the largest of the Venezuelan tepuis - its name means “mountain of the devil” in Russian. The height of the fall is so great that before reaching the ground, the water is sprayed into tiny particles and turns into fog. Fog can be felt several kilometers away.
