The widest waterfalls on earth. Famous waterfalls of the world - the largest and widest Huge waterfall
The widest waterfall in the world - Victoria Falls - is 1708 meters wide (but only 108 meters high). It is located in southern Africa, on the Zambezi River between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Victoria Falls is one of the largest in the world. In the language of the local African tribes, her name means "rumbling smoke".
Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. David Livingstone, a Scottish explorer, is believed to have been the first European to discover the falls. He named it after Queen Victoria.
During the rainy season, with every minute, more than 19 million cubic meters of water falls down, sinking into the Zambezi Gorge. The result of the spray, or steam, can sometimes be seen at a distance of 25 miles.
By the end of 2000, almost 800,000 people a year had the opportunity to visit the falls, and in the next twenty years the number will increase to two million a year.
Unlike the amusement park, Victoria Falls Park receives more visitors from Zimbabwe and Zambia than foreign tourists, as it can be reached by bus and train and is therefore relatively inexpensive.
Photo of the widest waterfall in the world
Video of the widest waterfall in the world
Iguazu Falls is a fairly wide and indented area of water fall. The waterfall is located on the Iguazu River of the same name near the border of the countries of Brazil and Argentina.
It is believed that the formation of the waterfall occurred as a result of a strong earthquake caused by a volcanic eruption, as a result of which large cracks formed in the earth's crust.
During the rainy season in November - March, the flow of water can reach 12,750 cubic meters per second.
Iguazu Falls is made up of many individual waterfalls that are separated by islands, total area a single complex of more than 2700 square meters.
There are 275 waterfalls in this area, the largest one is called "Devil's Throat" - the water in this area falls from a height of 80 meters.
In the language of the Guarani people, the term "Iguazu" means "big water". The waterfall was discovered in 1541 by Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca and since 1984 it has been part of the natural world heritage of UNESCO.
The waterfall is located in Africa, on the border of Zambia and Zambezi.
The waterfall was discovered in 1855, after David Livingston first saw this amazing natural phenomenon.
During the Jurassic period (150 - 200 million years ago), volcanic activity resulted in a thick layer of basalt covering most of South Africa. As the lava cooled and crystallized, cracks appeared in the hard crust of basalt, which were filled with clay and lime. The Zambezi River gradually washed away soft rocks, thus, a waterfall was formed.
The width of the flow of falling water is 1700 meters, the height is 108 meters, in terms of the volume of falling water (during the rainy season) per unit time, Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall on the planet.
The volume of water ranges from 300 to 9000 cubic meters per second. On average per year - about 1000 cubic meters per second.
The height of the waterfall is 53 meters, but the height of the fall of the water is 21 meters, the width of the main part of the falling water is 323 meters.
The volume of falling water is from 2800 to 5700 cubic meters per second.
In 1954, a landslide occurred - a pile of stones fell from above to the foot of the waterfall, thereby reducing the height of the water fall.
The waterfall is located in the north-east of Iceland, on the river Jökulsau-au-Fjödlum, is the largest waterfall in Europe in terms of the volume of falling water - on average, about 200 cubic meters per second.
The width of the waterfall is 100 meters, the height of the water fall is 44 meters.
5 Shoshone Falls
The height of the water fall is 64 meters, the width is 305 meters. Due to the fact that in summer a significant part of the river's water goes to irrigate fields, the waterfall practically disappears. In spring and autumn, the waterfall has the best view.
The waterfall is located in the west of Guyana, on the border with Venezuela, on the Potaro River. The height of the water fall is 226 meters, the width of the waterfall is about 100 meters. The maximum water flow is more than 1200 cubic meters per second (average annual flow is about 650 cubic meters). The waterfall is the largest in the world in many ways. But since it is located in a remote area, little is known about it. It is not visited by tourists.
The waterfall is located in the south of Iceland on the Hvitau River. The height of the waterfall is 32 meters, the average water flow is 125 cubic meters per second. But it should be noted that the waterfall consists of two steps, the first is 11 meters high, the second is 21 meters.
The highest waterfall on planet Earth. The height of the water fall is 979 meters, the height of the continuous fall of water is 807 meters.
The waterfall is located in Venezuela on the Churun River.
Yosemite Falls is located in eastern California in the United States on the Merced River. The total height of the waterfall is 739 meters. The waterfall consists of 3 cascades, the height of the upper waterfall is 435 meters, the middle - 206 and the lowest 98 meters.
10 Huangguoshu Waterfall
Huang Guo Shu Waterfall is located in China on the Baishui River in Guizhou Province. The waterfall consists of a complex of water drains. The main waterfall is 67 meters high and 83 meters wide.
Our beautiful planet impresses not only with the diversity of the animal world, but also with the beauty and grandeur of natural landscapes. For example, waterfalls, the contemplation of this grandiose spectacle remains in memory for a long time. From the loud rumble of a stream falling from a great height, it takes your breath away, and the jets are crystal clear. clean water play in the sun with bright glare. Find out which waterfalls are considered the largest in the world.
The grandiose miracle of falling water is hidden behind the wall of the tropical forests of Venezuela, is under the protection of UNESCO. The discovery of the highest waterfall in the world happened by chance in 1935 during a government expedition searching for new ore deposits. Pilot James Angel, while flying around the jungle, was lucky enough to fly over the future landmark of the world, which has impressive characteristics:
- the total height of the mighty giant is 986 meters;
- a continuous fall of water occurs from a height of 807 m;
- the volume of the falling mass is 300 cubic meters per second.
No less famous mountain range Teplui, from which there is an overthrow of huge flows of water lava. This rock, called the Devil's Mountain, belongs to the type of flat peaks called mesas. The translation of the name of the giant "Angel" from the language of local residents (Pemon tribe) can be associated with the designation of the deepest place.
Interestingly, it is not so easy for tourists to admire the most high waterfall in the world. You can get to the rock rising from the thickets of the wild jungle only by air, because in the dense tropical forest there are absolutely no roads.
Handsome Tugela
The second highest waterfall in the world is the Tugela Cascade, located in South Africa in the Natal National Park. The beautiful attraction of the African south owes its name to the river of the same name, and the amazing beauty of the spectacle - five cascades of water falling down.
The main cascade of the most beautiful of the largest waterfalls in the world has the following parameters:
- overall height water complex- 947 meters;
- the maximum height of the main threshold is 411 meters;
- the width of the water stream is 15 meters.
To view the cascade miracle, you will have to travel on foot, without turning off the main excursion trail, which can be reached by transport. The short way to the top and the descent from it will take 8-10 hours. But you can choose another trail that starts in the national park. During the ascent through the forest area to a height of seven kilometers, an opportunity opens up to admire an amazing creation of nature - the cliff of the Amphitheater cliff.
Lovely three sisters
Among the largest high-rise cascades in the world, the third position is given to the Three Sisters waterfall. An unusual water complex is located on the territory of the most picturesque area of Peru. The cascade of streams was accidentally discovered by photographers who came to take a photo shoot of a completely different waterfall.
The uniqueness of the Three Sisters complex, surrounded by 30 meter trees, is in a three-tiered fall of water, which reflects the name of a water miracle with the following characteristics:
- water falls from a height of 914 m;
- the width of the water stream is 14 m.
It is better to admire a three-tiered creation of nature from the air, when a complete overview of all three separately located tiers opens up. The rapid flight of the two branches of the cascade from a dizzying height ends in the third section - a huge pool.
The third largest waterfall in the world is located in the Ochishi National Park (Ayacucho region). It is quite difficult for tourists to get to the magnificent spectacle, but scientists are actively exploring unique places without forgetting the stunning photographs of the area.
Waterfalls: the most famous of the widest streams
Iguazu Falls Complex
Among the picturesque nature of the Iguazu National Park, on the territory of the border zone between Brazil and Argentina, the cascade of the world's most full-flowing Iguazu Falls stretches. Big two-stage system falling water mass was lucky enough to discover in 1541 the Spanish conquistador, who went in search of gold.
The local Indians from the Guarani tribe call the water miracle of nature "Great Water". And this is quite consistent with the grandiose spectacle, when millions of tons of water fall down with a terrible roar, raising water dust up to many tens of meters. The complex of strongly seething streams surprises with the power of its size:
- roaring lava falls from a maximum height of 80-82 meters;
- the width of the water complex reaches 4 kilometers;
- the volume of the overthrown mass of water is up to 6000 cubic meters per second.
It is assumed that the Iguazu Falls cascade was formed at least 20 thousand years ago, and its discoverer called the waterfall the Devil's Throat because of the horseshoe shape. natural phenomenon. It is no coincidence that Iguazu is called the most full-flowing one; about 270 independent sections have been recorded in the kingdom of waterfalls. The championship in width and size belongs to the water stream, designated by the Spaniard as the Devil's Throat.
Tourists who want to admire the thundering monster can make their dream come true from the territory of each of the countries that own the most full-flowing element. Special platforms are equipped for viewing, where you can see other large waterfalls that are part of the Iguazu system, and the Devil's Throat appears in all its glory.
Falls in honor of the Queen - Victoria
The cascade complex of waterfalls, located on the expanses of the Zambezi River, belongs to two states - Zimbabwe and Zambia. A water attraction on the border of two African countries was opened by David Livingston, who in 1855 went to convert the natives to Christianity.
The researcher gave the waterfall the name of the reigning queen - Victoria. However local residents a natural cascade, the flow of which is shrouded in a mist of wet spray, is known as Thundering Smoke with the following parameters:
- bubbling streams fall down from a height of 108 meters;
- Victoria's water arms stretch for a width of 1800 meters.
Not at all times of the year, the waterfall amazes tourists with the overthrow of wet lava. If during the rainy season a large wall of water becomes solid, then during the dry season, the powerful streams of Victoria dry up and become less swift. In the vastness of the legendary river, tourists are offered to go in for extreme sports.
The thundering waters of Niagara Falls
To contemplate the majestic power of the falling jets, inspiring genuine fear because of the roar and fog, it is not necessary to storm the tropical thickets. It's easier to go to North America. There you can admire the most famous and hyped object in the world - Niagara Falls.
The name itself, translated from the dialect of local Indians, corresponds to rumbling water, since the element can be heard much earlier than seen. The location of the world-famous attraction is the Canadian province of Ontario, where the Niagara River gives tourists the contemplation of a water complex 53 meters high and 1200 meters wide, consisting of three large streams:
- The American Falls is 323 m wide;
- the width of the section called Horseshoe - 792 m;
- Veil is the smallest and rather narrow stream.
Niagara Falls rightly called the most powerful stream in North America with a volume of falling water of more than 5700 cubic meters per second. The existence of the American miracle was told to the world by a traveling priest who discovered the falls in 1677.
The unusual color of the water of Niagara Falls surprises. It sparkles with a greenish tint due to the enrichment with salts. The falling stream raises clouds of foam, the reason for the brown color of which is in the clay soils at the foot of the complex.
The smallest wonder of nature is the Sarkyrama waterfall, located in the western part of Kazakhstan. Next to the forest, nature has erected a miniature water attraction only four meters high. It is not difficult for tourists to get to the complex, since a small settlement is located nearby.
Among all the wonders bestowed on man by nature, perhaps the most popular are waterfalls. Their beauty fascinates tourists, and their power is admirable. Below is a list of the ten fastest, most powerful waterfalls in the world, including those that have been destroyed by man.
Victoria is a waterfall on the Zambezi River, on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. It is considered one of the largest geographical attractions in Africa. It was discovered in 1855 by the Scottish missionary and explorer David Livingston. The waterfall is approximately 1,800 meters wide and 128 meters high. The average water consumption is 1,088 m³/s.
Iguazu - a cascade of waterfalls located on the Iguazu River on the border of the Brazilian state of Parana (in Southern region Brazil) and the Argentine province of Misiones. It was discovered for Europeans in 1541 by the Spanish conquistador Don Alvaro Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, who arrived in the American jungle in search of gold. Interestingly, about once every forty years, during a drought, Iguazu dries up completely. It is one of the most visited tourist sites in South America. More than 700,000 tourists taste it every year. Depending on the state of the water in the river, the number of waterfalls ranges from 150 to 300, and their height is from 40 to 82 m. The average water flow is about 1 500 m³/s, and in different seasons varies from 500 to 6,500 m³/s.
Urubupunga is a waterfall on the Parana River on the border of the states of São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil. It had a width of 2,012 meters, a height of 13 m (in a cascade of two rapids), the water flow was 2,747 cubic meters per second. Unfortunately, it was flooded due to the rise in the level of the river as a result of the construction of the Sousa Diaz hydroelectric power plant, which at one time was the largest hydroelectric power plant in Brazil.
Paulo Afonso
Paulo Afonso - a series of rapids and three waterfalls in northeastern Brazil, on the Sao Francisco River. It has a height of 84 m and an average width of 18 m. Although the water here no longer falls freely from high altitude, because the hydroelectric plant and the dam blocked the river, however, it can be seen again during the high water, when the additional flow of the dam is opened. Prior to this, the waterfall, on average, skipped about 3,000 m³ of water per second, the maximum flow was 14,158 m³/s.
Niagara Falls is a group of large waterfalls on the Niagara River in eastern North America, on the border between the United States and Canada. Renowned for its beauty. Its maximum height is 53 m, width is 790 m (Horseshoe Falls). In terms of the volume of water passing through it, it is the most powerful in North America: more 3,160 tons of water per second, during the periods of the greatest activity 5 720 m³/s. was first discovered to Europeans by the Belgian missionary and traveler Louis Enpin in 1677.
Para is a waterfall located on the Kaura River in South America, in the state of Bolivar, in the tropical, inaccessible forests of Venezuela. Water here falls in seven cascades from a height of 64 meters (according to other sources - 60 m). The waterfall is 5,608 meters wide and drops every second 3 540 m³ water, during the flood period, the water flow can reach up to 11,327 m³ / s.
Selille is a ruined waterfall on the Columbia River in North America, on the border of the states of Oregon and Washington (USA). Selil Falls, which existed until 1957 in the lower reaches of the Columbia River, was permanent place fishing by local tribes before the construction of the 79-meter Dallas Dam. With a low height, only about 6 meters, it was one of the fastest waterfalls that ever existed on Earth, with an average annual water flow 5 366 m³/s, during high water, the discharge could reach up to 11,300 m³/s.
Khon - waterfall in South-East Asia on the Mekong River, in the extreme south of Laos. The total height of the water fall here is 21 meters, the length of the cascades is 9.7 km. The waterfall consists of several thousand islands and countless water branches and channels. Its average width is 10,783 m, the maximum is 12,954 m. According to this indicator, it is considered the widest in the world. It resets on average every second 11 610 m³ water, and during the period of maximum water level in the river, the discharge can reach up to 49,554 m³/s. It was discovered in 1920 by the researcher E. Khokhan.
Guaira is a once-existing waterfall on the Parana River on the border of Brazil and Paraguay, west of the Brazilian city of Guaira. It included 18 cascades with a total height of 114 m. The waterfall was one of the largest in the world in terms of water flow - 13 309 m³/s. The falling water created a deafening noise that could be heard at a distance of 30 km. In addition, it was considered an important tourism center for many years, however, it ceased to exist in 1982 when it was blown up to flood the reservoir of the Itaipu Dam. It is interesting that before his final “death”, he managed to take revenge on humanity and took 82 tourists with him, who expressed a desire to say goodbye to him. Guaira ripped off the suspension bridge on which they were standing and dragged them into the watery depths.
Stanley or Boyoma Falls - a waterfall in Central Africa, on the Lualaba River, in Democratic Republic Congo. It is a series of seven waterfalls (rapids), with a total height of 61 m, a width of 1,372 m, and a length of up to 100 km. On average, every second he misses 16 990 m³ water, and during the flood period, the water flow can reach up to 51,933 m³/s. It was named after the discoverer, famous British journalist and outstanding traveler and explorer of Africa, Henry Morton Stanley.
Anyone who has seen the falls up close will agree that their beauty and majesty are almost indescribable. If even a small drop in water can inspire, imagine what it would feel like to see one of the largest waterfalls in the world.
This TOP 10 is based on the width of the falls, not the height or volume. Each waterfall from the list is wonderful in its own way.
10. Inga Falls, Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Inga Falls is 900 meters wide and is located on the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is from a series of waterfalls and rapids that fall from a height of about 100 meters, but intermittently. However, in the main and most impressive part, the water falls from a height of about 20 meters in the same breath. There are hundreds of channels in this waterfall, which are marked by many large rocks and small islands.
9. Niagara Falls, USA, Canada
Despite its relatively low height, Niagara Falls is undoubtedly the most famous waterfall on the planet. Every year, 14-20 million people come to see the waterfall. At 1,200 meters wide, Niagara Falls is far from being the largest waterfall, but it is the one with the largest volume of water flowing through it. It has three distinct sections: Horseshoe Falls, Veil Falls, and American Falls.
8. Stanley Falls, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Stanley Falls stretches 1,400 meters across the entire Lualaba River, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Despite the width, this is not a very visually impressive waterfall.
7. Victoria Falls, South Africa
Victoria Falls is 1800 meters wide. It is located on the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe. The river falls into a gorge made up of side volcanic dams that have formed due to river erosion. When the water enters the gorge, the mist and spray rises over 30 meters above the top of the falls, giving the impression that the mist is rising from a deep hole in the ground.
6. Vermilion Falls, North America
Although this waterfall does not have an impressive height, it is the sixth largest waterfall in the world in terms of width, which is 1829 meters. It is located along the Peace River, in Northern Alberta, Canada.
5. Mokona Falls, South America
The waterfall is part of the Uruguay River in Argentina. This is one of the most unique large river waterfalls. Its width is 2065 meters.
4. Iguazu Falls, South America
The waterfall is located on both sides of the border between Argentina and Brazil. It has a width of 2682 meters. Most of the river falls in an area known as the Garganta del Diablo, or Devil's Throat, but the rest spreads out in a wide, flat shelf, splitting into hundreds of individual falls. This waterfall can vary greatly in volume, depending on how much rain falls. At times it shrinks to a fraction of its normal size, but in some cases it grows to 2,896 meters wide.
3. Congo Falls, Central West Africa
The waterfall is 3200 meters wide, making it the third largest waterfall in the world. Falling water is a truly unforgettable sight, besides, it is located among the dense equatorial forests. The waterfall is in national park Ivindo, which was created to protect biodiversity.
2. Para Waterfall, Venezuela
Somersault Para, or waterfall Para, 5608 meters. The waterfall is located on the Caura River in the state of Bolivar, Venezuela. It has the shape of a crescent and is formed at the point where two parts of the river converge. The waterfall is surrounded by lush, green jungle.
1. Khon Falls, Laos
This is the widest waterfall in the world. Almost twice the size of Para Falls, it is 10,783 meters wide. The waterfall is part of the Mekong River in Laos, and occurs where the river divides into seven large and many other smaller channels. It consists of several different thresholds.
