Waterfalls are one of the most impressive land forms on Earth. These waterfalls are considered one of the most beautiful natural phenomena . Contemplate an unforgettable multi – sensory experience.
Here are what are considered the most beautiful waterfalls in the world, not only for its majesty and strength, but by the environment that surrounds them.
Great Waterfall of Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
In the central valley of Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia there are 92 waterfalls that connect 16 lakes surrounded by beautiful beech forests . This region was declared a National Park in 1949 and listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1979.
In the area of the Lower Lakes are the biggest waterfall in Croatia , the Veliki Slap or “Great Waterfall“.
Victoria Falls, on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls have a width of 1700 meters and 108 meters high . The narrow and rare abyss into which the water falls Zambezi River makes this landform in one of the most impressive of them mound. About the Victoria Falls bridge, an old steel arch is completed in 1905.
It was in 1855 when the explorer David Livingstone named the falls in honor of Queen Victoria . However, the locals known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, which literally means “the smoke that thunders“.
These falls are part of two national parks , Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia National Park and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. They were declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1989.
Niagara Falls, on the border between Canada and the US
Niagara Falls are a group of waterfalls located on the Niagara River on the border between the United States and Canada. They have a width of 1,000 meters and 54 meters fall . Its name means “thunder of water” and has its origin in an Iroquois word.
Although not a great height, these falls are very spacious. In fact, they are the largest in North America , because for them goes all the water in the Great Lakes. In addition to highlighting its stunning beauty, Niagara Falls are a major source of energy and a challenging project for environmental conservation.
Gullfoss waterfalls in Iceland
The Gullfoss Falls is located in southwestern Iceland. These falls consituyen one of the main attractions of the island . The Icelandic term Gullfoss means “Golden Falls”. In fact, these falls are included in the Golden Circle tourist route.
The Gullfoss falls are located in the bed of the Hvita River, which flows south. One kilometer from the waterfall turns sharply to the east, falling into three curved steps, where rushes in two jumps (11 and 21 meters, respectively) into a crevasse 32 meters deep which measures 20 meters wide and 25 kilometers long.
Iguazu Falls on the border between Brazil and Argentina
Iguazu is a Guarani term that translates as “great waters“. Iguazu Falls are a set of waterfalls located on the river taking the name , on the border between Argentina province of Misiones and the Brazilian state of Parana. They are within the National Park Iguazo, about 20 kilometers from the city of Puerto Iguazu.
They were discovered by European explorers in 1541. In 1984, Unesco declared them as natural heritage of mankind. In 2011 they were declared as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World .
Ban Gioc-Detian Falls on the border in China and Vietnam
Cataracts Ban Gioc-Detian are two waterfalls located on the Guichun River on the border between China and Vietnam. They are divided into three falls between rocks and trees, with a total height of 53 meters . The biggest jump is 30 meters. Although it is not excessively high falls, the effect of water hitting the cliffs it is thunderous and the enclave is an absolute beauty and magnanimity.
“The waterfall sings when I get my freedom, I find my song.”
-Rabindranath Tagore
Taughannock waterfall in New York State Park (USA)
The Taughannock married is in Robert H. Treman State Park in New York County. This waterfall is formed with the water of Cayuga Lake and is surrounded by a valley 122 meters deep .
The main part of the falls of Taughannock, which literally means “great waterfall forest” has a drop of 66 meters (10 meters higher than the famous Niagara Falls), which makes it the highest waterfall east of the Rocky mountain.
Angel Falls in Venezuela
Angel Falls, located in the Canaima National Park in Bolivar, Venezuela, has a height of 979 meters (807 meters of uninterrupted drop them). This makes the jump from world’s tallest water.
This protected area was established as a National Park in 1962 and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994. Angel was one of the 28 finalists in the election of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Kaieteur waterfall on the border between Venezuela and Guyana
Kaieteur Falls are located in the Kaieteur National Park, Guyana Essequibo territory in dispute between Venezuela and Guyana. They were discovered in 1870 by Charles Barrington Brown, a British geologist Colony of British Guiana.
Kaieteur Falls, located in the bed of the Potaro river, have a free fall up to 226 meters from the water outlet to the first time that touches rocks. Then the water flows into a series of steep water drops that make cataract reach 256 meters.
Kaieteur Falls are twice higher than the Victoria Falls and four times larger than Niagara Falls.
It is inevitable, cataracts impress and astonish , always spectacular by the force of the current, the sound of water rushing and the amazing landscapes that surround them.
