South America is the continent of nature's greatest wonders. Here are such unique geographical features as the world's most full-flowing Amazon River and the lowland of the same name, which occupies the largest area, the longest mountain range on land - the Andes, the highest Angel Falls …
The natural attractions that South America is largely known for are waterfalls. The wettest continent is rich in rivers. And the presence of mountain ranges and plateaus with steep rocky slopes creates many obstacles in their path, causing waterfalls to appear. They are a grandiose sight: streams of rushing water, puffs of steam, wet rocks, a rainbow, a roar and a roar of a stream…
The largest waterfalls in South America
The most famous are the Angel and Iguazu Falls. If the first is the highest in the world, then the second is among the most beautiful.
South America's unique Angel Falls on the Churun River in Venezuela has been known since 1933, when pilot James Angel spotted it while flying over the jungle. Four years later, he organized the first expedition toAuyan-Tepui is a plateau with sheer walls, from which a waterfall falls. The epic with a crashed plane and an eleven-day passage through the jungle brought Angel world fame. And the waterfall was named after him in Spanish transcription.
The highest waterfall in South America - Angel - is located in a remote area, so its height was only established in 1949. This was done by the expedition of the National Geographic Society of the United States. The total height is considered to be 1054 m, and the highest continuous water flight is 877 m.
The Canaima National Park and Angel Falls in South America have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.
Now the ubiquitous tourists have reached the impenetrable jungle of Venezuela. Here, excursions to Angel are organized for them by planes, helicopters and by water. Despite the complexity of the path, the routes are very popular, because there are many who want to see one of the natural wonders. South America, waterfalls and unforgettable views await them.
Iguazu - big water
Iguazu Falls in South America is actually a whole system of waterfalls. They are located on the river of the same name, flowing through the Brazilian Plateau, on the border of Argentina and Brazil.
It's hard to even imagine all the greatness of Iguazu! Almost 300 individual streams fall from a height of about 80 m, and their width is more than 3 km! The rumble of the waterfall is heard at a great distance, clouds of fog rise above it at any time of the day. And in clear weather hereyou can easily see a full rainbow, and the moon too.
The word "iguazu" in the language of the Guarani Indians means "big water". And this is true, because almost 5 thousand cubic meters of water flows through the waterfall every second. Iguazu - the largest waterfall in South America.
By the way, on the river of the same name there are several more places where water jumps from the ledge of the channel. The largest waterfall is Nakundai Falls. Its height is almost 40 m.
Other waterfalls in Brazil
On the Parana River there was a unique waterfall in South America - Guaira (Seti-Kedas). It was the most powerful in the world - the water consumption was three times greater than that of Niagara! With a not so high altitude (34 m), it attracted many tourists, but was flooded during the construction of the most powerful hydroelectric power station in the world - Itaipu, and the rocks from which it fell were blown up.
Now, along with Iguazu, the Caracol waterfall is very popular. It is located close to inhabited places and is equipped for tourists. You can admire the waterfall, falling from a height of 131 m, from a tower with an observation deck or climb to the top of the hill by cable car. You can also go down to its foot along a metal staircase of almost a thousand steps, but there is no elevator to go up here.
San Rafael
In Ecuador, the most famous is the San Rafael waterfall on the Quijos River. This is a double cascade with a total height of 150 m. The waterfall is located in the Andes nearthe foot of the Reventador volcano among dense tropical forests. Tourists are forced to admire it from a fairly large distance, from a specially constructed observation deck. This is done for safety reasons, as there have been cases of deaths of daredevils trying to get close to the monumental stream of water. And it’s easier to capture the entire waterfall with a glance from a distance, and the noise and rumble can be heard at a distance of ten kilometers. The ever-hanging mist from splashes of water crashing against rocks settles on everything around, making the path and slopes slippery and very dangerous.
The waterfall itself is in danger of extinction. Twenty kilometers upstream on the Quijos River, construction has begun on a hydroelectric dam.
Wonders of nature that South America may lose are waterfalls being destroyed by human activities.
Waterfalls of Peru
Peruvian Gokta is often recognized as the third highest in the world (771 m) after Angel and Tugela in South Africa. But this claim is debatable. The waterfall was discovered by Stefan Zimmendorf in 2002. The amount of falling water varies depending on the season.
At the foot of the waterfall are tropical rainforests with many rare animals. All of them are part of a natural reserve, a trip through which is allowed only with an experienced guide.
Another Peruvian waterfall - Umbilla (Yumbilla). It is located in the Amazon basin. The National Geographic Institute of Peru reports that itsthe height is 895.5 m. The source of the river is in a cave. Umbilla consists of four or five ledges. More precisely, it is difficult to establish due to the inaccessibility of the area.
Waterfall is shallow, dries up in the dry season. Nestled in the impenetrable forest of the eastern slope of the Andes, Umbilla can only be explored with the help of a local guide.
Tekendama waiting for tourists
In Colombia, on the Bogotá River, there is the Tekendama Falls ("Open Door"). Located within an hour's drive from the country's capital, just 20 km downstream, it is very popular with tourists.
Locals believe that the Great Spirit once cut a rock to save people from a flood.
The 137-meter waterfall attracted so many people that a castle was built next to it for the then president of the country, later turned into a hotel. Eighteen of its rooms were never empty, because it was considered very prestigious to relax next to a beautiful full-flowing waterfall.
Unfortunately, civilization has reached these places, which manifested itself in the pollution and shallowing of the river. As a result, the flow of tourists has dried up. And only in recent years, the discharge of sewage into Bogotá was banned and the river was cleaned up. Local authorities hope to increase profits from tourism, because such an interesting object, which is also located very close to the capital, is worthy of attention, like other waterfalls in South America (see photo in the article).
In the meantime, Tekendama has a gloomy reputation due to the fact that she is oftendesperate people choose to settle accounts with life.
Waterfalls of Guyana
Kieteur Falls, considered one of the most beautiful natural objects in the world, is located in the jungles of Guyana. The Mazaruni River brings down more than 650 cubic meters of water every second from a height of 226 m. It is simply amazing that such a powerful waterfall remained unknown to Europeans until 1870, when it was discovered by the English geologist Charles Brown.
The remoteness and inaccessibility of Kaietura have become the reason for its low popularity among tourists. But the majestic views of the grandiose waterfall are impressive even in the photo. In 1929, the Kaieteur National Park was organized here.
The second famous waterfall in Guyana - Orinduik, located on one of the tributaries of the Amazon - the Ireng River. This is a whole cascade of waterfalls with a total height of about 25 m. A picturesque multi-level stream of water 150 m wide flows among red jasper rocks and heaps of stones.
Tourists are attracted not only by the beauty of the landscapes of Orinduik, but also by the opportunity to swim in its warm waters. The waterfall is not as majestic and formidable as Kaietur, but much more hospitable. Jets falling from low ledges produce the effect of a relaxing massage, and the river itself can be easily forded.
Thousands of tourists visit the waterfall, so runways for small passenger planes have been built on both banks of the river.
Chilean waterfalls
Chile also has waterfalls, among which the most famous are S alto Grande ("Great Jump") and Petrogue. The first one is inTorres del Paine National Park and has a height of 15 m. Despite this, the waterfall looks impressive and is a favorite place for tourists.
Petrogue is located within the Vincent Perez Rosales National Park near the dormant Osorno Volcano. The volume of flowing water depends on the level of Lake Todos, from which the river begins. The average flow rate is 270 cubic meters per second.
The S alto de Laja waterfall, 35 meters high, is located in the province of Bio Bio. It was considered a sacred place by the Mapuche Indians. Only the young man who was able to cross the waterfall was considered a man.
All three waterfalls are very popular with tourists, so their surroundings are distinguished by well-developed infrastructure.
High mountains, fire-breathing volcanoes, virgin forests, full-flowing rivers, amazing flora and fauna - this is what South America is famous for among tourists. Waterfalls take their rightful place on this list. But it must be remembered that even the most grandiose objects of nature need human protection.
