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Waterfalls are one of the most visited landscape objects of our planet. No wonder, because they combine the charm of the seething flowing water, the beauty of the surrounding wildlife and the freshness of the air saturated with moisture.
The waterfalls look great in photographs, and they also refresh tired tourists with their clear clear water.
In addition, many consider waterfalls to be a sacred place where special energy accumulates and dormant emotions and talents are revealed.
Yes, our planet has hidden waterfalls of unique beauty in its corners, which fascinate with their power and swiftness. And today our review includes 10 most famous waterfalls in the world, to which travelers from various countries seek to get.
10 Huang-Go-shu (Huangguoshu)
Our leader rating opens with one of the largest waterfalls in China, which has rightfully earned the nickname “Earth’s Milky Way”.
The foaming giant breaks down from a height of 74 meters and falls in several ledges, which outwardly resembles a white canvas.
A couple of hundred miles from the falls, you will feel the moisture-laden mountain breeze along with the droplets of water that waft from its majestic waters.
In different seasons, Huang Guo-shu is transformed: in the cold season, it looks relaxed and peaceful, launching only thin jets, and closer to summer, the current intensifies.
As many as 3 observation platforms are equipped for tourists, where, by the way, you can also visit cave pavilions, cliffs of extraordinary beauty, immersed in greenery.
9. Yosemite
The giant is located in the States and is open to tourists who have headed the explorer of the Yosemite National Park.
The waterfall rightfully took the twentieth place in the ranking of the highest in the world, as its total height reached 739 meters.
Yosemite is located in a unique green valley surrounded by mountains and hiking trails.
It is divided into 3 segments: 1 vertical crack and 2 horizontal. In the cold season, water consumption decreases, and the largest flow is observed by the beginning of summer.
The Avanichi Indians who lived in the area considered the waterfall to be a place with special energy and made legends about it.
8. Shoshone
You can see the pearl of North America not in the most visited state of Idaho. Although, for the sake of the waterfall, it’s worth going there, because they say that it was formed during the Ice Age.
The giant is 64 meters high and 305 meters wide.
People they use the waterfall for economic purposes (for example, irrigate fields), so, unlike their counterparts, Shoshone practically dries up in summer. It is necessary to go to admire the picturesque views in early autumn or late spring.
7. Angel
This beautiful “angelic” waterfall tops the ranking of the highest, as its total height reaches 979 meters (which, for a second, is 15 times the famous Niagara and 3 times the Eiffel Tower).
You can admire the giant in the Canayama National Park of Venezuela, where an inexhaustible flow of tourists is constantly observed. Dense forests and valleys, unique flora and fauna, equipped hiking trails and viewing platforms await you.
The scale of Angel is mesmerizing, and its massive waters feed the entire Kerep River. Small particles that break on the water surface form a cloudy haze around the waterfall, so moisture in the air can be felt at a distance of several kilometers.
6. Jog
India boasts picturesque wilderness areas, but Jog exceeds all tourists’ expectations. This waterfall has a unique free fall height – that is, the stream does not break through the stones, but falls immediately from a height of 253 meters.
Jog is also great because consists of 4 sleeves with various names. The latter were given in honor of the sounds that water makes when it falls. So, “Raja” powerfully and proudly rushes down, “Rocket” is filled with water more than others and rushes at great speed, “Rani” is the most sinuous (like a female dance), and “Rumbling”, you guessed it, is the noisiest. Tourists come with pleasure to look at Jog and make sure of this legend.
5. Let’s go
You can find this wonder of nature in the west of Guyana, which is not far from Venezuela. It is considered one of the most massive and powerful waterfalls, as the water falls with force from a cliff 226 meters high and disappears into an abyss hidden by fog.
The spectacle is enchanting, because among the dance of splashes and clouds of moisture, a bright rainbow can sometimes be traced.
Keitur is almost 2 times superior to Victoria. In a second, about 660 cubic meters of water falls from it. The latter flows down ledges and reservoirs, creating unsurpassed cascades.
And around Keitur is surrounded by tropical thickets. The attraction is remote from crowded places, so the flow of tourists rarely exceeds 200 people per day.
4. Dettifoss
Take a vacation to Iceland to see the most powerful waterfall in Europe. It carries meltwater from glaciers into a deep 44-meter abyss.
You can see the attraction in the local national park, enjoying the color of wildlife. The area around the waterfall itself is dry and scarce, so Detifoss looks like a unique spring. In width, it reaches about 100 meters, and in height it is only 9 meters inferior to Niagara Falls.
3. Iguazu
In Brazil, you can see not only samba carnivals, but also beautiful natural landscapes.
One of the widest and most beautiful waterfalls in the world, Iguazu Falls attracts crowds of tourists every day. It is 2,7 km wide, in fact, representing a cascade of mini-waterfalls (more precisely, 270 pieces).
The ancient formation was born as a result of the eruption of a local volcano and the formation of a fault in the earth’s crust with a depth of 75 m. When it rains, Iguazu fills about 13 thousand cubic meters of water. The length of the waterfall is also rather big – 1,32 km, and the height of the cliff is 75 meters.
2. Victoria
One of the most beautiful waterfalls of the African continent (southern part) was born several centuries ago and received the name “Thundering Smoke” from the local tribes.
Victoria sows the smallest water particles around her for 2 kilometers. The flow of water per second can reach as much as 5 million liters – just imagine such a volume!
The height of the natural curiosity is 100 meters, and the cloud of spray that it gives can be seen from a distance of more than 50 kilometers. It also reaches a width of 1,8 kilometers. Viewpoints are located in a foggy and very humid forest at the very top of the waterfall.
1. Niagara Falls
Few people have not heard about one of the most spectacular waterfalls on the planet, which carries its turbulent waters on the border of Canada and America.
The flow of water of this famous giant falls from a height of 53 meters, and extends for more than 1 km in width.
Niagara Falls was formed during a natural break in the earth’s crust about 12 thousand years ago.
Its “mother” was Lake Erie, which overflowed its shore and formed the powerful Niagara River, which rushes its waters directly into Lake Ontario.
In crossword puzzles, the question is often asked: “What is the name of the river of the most famous waterfall in North America?” Now you know the correct answer.
By the way, the huge waterfall consists of 3 separate smaller ones: “American”, “Horseshoe” and “Bridal Veil”. All of them are separated by small islands.
These amazing waterfalls exist on our planet, and this list is far from limiting. Interestingly, many waterfalls have a history of centuries and have witnessed the most important transformations on Earth.