Some of the best and most famous waterfalls in the World
Waterfalls are some of the most impressive natural wonders in the World. From their sheer size to the sound of falling water, these majestic beauties have captivated visitors for centuries. In this article, we will look at some of the most famous waterfalls in the World and explore why they are so awe-inspiring.
Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
Victoria Falls is a waterfall in southern Africa on the Zambezi River at the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. It lies about 4 kilometres west of Victoria Falls town and sits at the south end of the Victoria Falls National Park. The waterfall is about 30 metres (98 ft) wide and 250 metres (820 ft) long.[2]
Different names know Victoria Falls:
- Zimbabwe: Mosi-oa-Tunya (“the smoke that thunders”) or simply as Mosi-oa-Tunya;
- Zambia: Mosi-oa-Tunya;
- Namibia: “The Smoke That Thunders”;
- Botswana: Tsho Rolue;
Iguazu Falls (Argentina and Brazil)
Iguazu Falls are the most visited natural attraction in South America and one of the seven wonders of nature. The waterfalls are located on the border between Argentina and Brazil, where they form one system of 275 waterfalls, some 2,700 meters (9,000 feet) wide and 80 meters (260 feet) tall.
The name “Iguazu” comes from Guarani words meaning “big water” or “big river”. Iguazu Falls is called Cataratas do Iguaçu in Portuguese or Cataratas del Iguazú in Spanish.
Iguazu Falls were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 due to its outstanding universal value that all nations around the World have recognized since as early as 1760 when they were first discovered by Europeans who called them “Devil’s Throat” due to their power and volume.,
Angel Falls (Venezuela)
Angel Falls is the World’s highest waterfall and can be found in Canaima National Park, Venezuela. The falls descend 3,212 feet (979 meters) over two drops.
Angel Falls is named after Jimmy Angel, the pilot who discovered them in 1937. The falls are known as Kerepakupai Meru, a “waterfall of the deepest place.”
Niagara Falls (USA – Canada)
Niagara Falls, located on the Canada-U.S. border and comprised of three separate waterfalls, is one of the World’s most well-known and influential. It’s a natural wonder that dates back to 10,000 BC when glaciers carved out the Niagara River gorge. “Niagara” comes from an Iroquoian word meaning “thundering waters.”
The Horseshoe Falls drops about 50 meters (164 feet), almost twice as tall as Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe). The American Falls drops 76 meters (250 feet), while Bridal Veil Falls drops 69 meters (226 feet). All three falls makeup Niagara Falls—the largest waterfall in North America by volume, with more than six million cubic feet pouring over its edge every minute!
Huangguoshu Waterfall (China)
In Wulong County, Chongqing Municipality, China is the Huangguoshu Waterfall. It’s one of the most famous waterfalls in China and a must-see for anyone visiting this country. You can get to the waterfall by ferrying to Guihaia from Chenjiapu Port. That will cost you about $15, including transportation from your hotel or hostel to the port and back.
Once at Guihaia Island, there are several ways to reach Huangguoshu Waterfall: by foot (a 2-hour hike), by cable car (about 15 minutes), or by bamboo rafts that take you up close.
Jog Falls (India)
Jog Falls is the second tallest waterfall in India, located on the Sharavathi River in Shimoga District, Karnataka. It is about 97 meters tall and was named for a nearby village called Jog. The falls are a significant tourist attraction in Karnataka due to their immense beauty and popularity with tourists from all over India.
Plitvice Lakes Waterfall (Croatia)
Plitvice Lakes are a series of 16 lakes in Croatia. The lakes are surrounded by beech, fir, spruce and pine trees. The lakes are a popular tourist destination in Croatia and offer incredible views.
Plitvice Lakes Waterfall is one of the most photographed waterfalls in the World because it has an unusual colour combination: blue and green colours under sunlight with yellow tones at night time.
Kaieteur Falls (Guyana)
In the Kaieteur National Park, you will find the tallest waterfall in the World. Kaieteur Falls is a single-drop waterfall with 979 feet (301 meters). It’s in Kaieteur National Park in the Potaro River Basin, central Guyana (South America).
The falls were formed by erosion over time due to water flowing down from rain and ice melt. The landscape around it has been shaped by thousands of years of this process.
Sutherland Falls (New Zealand)
Sutherland Falls is a waterfall on New Zealand’s South Island. It is the second-highest after Tasman Falls, located in the same area. The three-tiered waterfall falls from 607 meters (1,987 ft) into Lake Quill. They can be viewed from various angles with informative signage to provide information about their history and geology.
The waterfall was named after James Sutherland, who discovered it in 1871 while hunting deer on his property near Lake Rotoaira. UNESCO has designated the area around Sutherland Falls as part of Te Wahipounamu National Park – World Heritage Site since 1988 due to its diverse flora and fauna found only here or in nearby places like Mount Cook National Park or Aoraki/Mount Cook Village.
Yosemite Falls (California, USA)
The tallest waterfall in North America, Yosemite Falls, is also the third-tallest waterfall in the World (after Angel Falls in Venezuela and Niagara Falls). The drop of 2,425 feet makes it the sixth-highest waterfall on Earth. It’s also known as Hetch Hetchy Falls after its location at Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park.
The falls are fed by melting snow nearby Mount Lyell and Mount Dana. When water levels are high during springtime snowmelt, you can see a multi-tiered cascade; at lower tiers, you’ll see one main fall that splits into two streams before meeting again at the rocks below.
Last Words About The famous Waterfalls in the World
It’s hard to believe that there are so many incredible waterfalls worldwide. Even though we have explored some of them, there are still so many more that we haven’t seen yet! We hope you enjoyed reading about these amazing natural wonders and maybe even learned something new!
Read more about the most famous waterfalls in the World here: rivieratravel.co.uk
– NEXT – WHAT IS THE BEST LOCATION TO VISIT IN CANADA?
– Written By Boyan Minchev