World of waterfalls: the highest, most powerful and beautiful falling rivers. The highest waterfalls in the world The highest waterfall in the world where

You can look at the flowing water endlessly. And if the water falls from a great height, then even more so. Fortunately, nature spoils us with such gorgeous views, scattering waterfalls here and there around the world. Any ledge in a river where water falls from a height of more than a meter can be called a waterfall or threshold. Both of them have always attracted many travelers. One of the most famous waterfalls in the world is Niagara Falls, although it is not that high at all, and there are many rapids wider than it. But even water falling from just 50 meters simply fascinates tourists. But less known are the more inaccessible high waterfalls, some of which were discovered relatively recently.


As for such natural wonders as waterfalls, Europe has not been very successful with them, because the most enormous in power are located on other continents...

1. Angel, Venezuela (979 m)

It is, undoubtedly, the highest waterfall on Earth, located in the distant Venezuelan tropics, where it falls from a fantastic height of 979 meters. When water falls from a dizzying height, it breaks into millions of small splashes, so clouds of dense fog always hang below. This waterfall was discovered by pilot James Angel, who was flying over the local jungle while doing geological exploration and accidentally noticed this waterfall. This was in 1933, and 4 years later Angel, his wife and several other people decided to go to the waterfall to explore its source in more detail. But the plane they were flying on had an accident, and he miraculously landed on this very top. As a result, the travelers had to wade through the jungle for 11 days to get home. Returning, Angel revealed to the world the secret of the existence of the waterfall.
In 1994, the waterfall, along with the surrounding area of ​​Canaima, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Although the Venezuelan president decided to rename this waterfall in 2009, returning to it the name Kerepakupai-meru, used by local residents, such a complex name did not take root for the rest of the world, and it remained Angel Falls.

2. Tugela, South Africa (948 m)

Another waterfall, Tugela, is only slightly inferior in height to Angel Falls. It is located in South Africa and consists of five cascades that fall down. The highest cascade has a height of 411 meters, but in total all its steps add up to almost a kilometer. But this waterfall cannot be called very powerful - it is nowhere wider than 15 meters, and the per second flow of water in it does not exceed 400 cubic meters. It is fed by the Tugela River in Natal National Park, where it tumbles down from the Drakensberg Mountains.
This waterfall looks especially impressive during sunset or after a heavy rainfall. The rays of the setting sun make the streams of falling water sparkle. The river itself is very short - it begins just a few kilometers from the cliff. The water in it is so pure that it is quite suitable for drinking.
In winter, the waterfall often freezes, turning into pillars of ice and making the surrounding area look fabulous. Many tourists traveling around South Africa strive to get to the waterfall. Two paths about seven kilometers long lead to it. It will take about 8 hours to climb them to the waterfall and about the same time on the way back.

3. Three sisters, Peru (914 m)

In the Peruvian Andes there is one of the highest waterfalls in the world, called the Three Sisters. It consists of three cascades of powerful water flows. The waterfall is very narrow - only 14 meters. It is surrounded by lush green tropical jungle, some of which grow up to 30 meters tall. The surrounding area is so beautiful that it resembles paradise. This is the region of Ayacuccio, remote from civilization.
The world discovered the Three Sisters Waterfall relatively recently and, in general, by accident. A group of photographers went to shoot another waterfall - Katarata, which has a falling height of 267 meters, however, making their way through the jungle, they came across a much more spectacular miracle of nature.


On our planet, only 14 mountain peaks have a height of more than 8000 meters. Most of the peaks are located in the Himalayas and are known to everyone under the name "...

4. Olopena, USA (900m)

Even in the United States, the above-mentioned Niagara Falls is far from holding the record for height. There is a waterfall in this country that is much higher, but you shouldn’t look for it on the mainland of the country - you’ll have to fly to the Hawaiian Islands. Among them is the island of Molokai, where the Olopena waterfall is located. But not everyone expects to see such a grandiose waterfall on these remote islands, because it is very difficult to get to. Therefore, most of his photographs were taken using aerial photography.
The waterfall is surrounded on both sides by mountains of volcanic origin. The stream of the waterfall is quite weak, and as it falls it falls from ledge to ledge many times. She doesn’t even fall, but rather slides along an almost vertical rock, rushing into the waters of the ocean. The waterfall cut deep into the rock, which is why it could not be discovered or photographed for so long. The best view of it is from the ocean, so many local travel companies organize tours to it. True, you can only fly there in stable good weather.

5. Umbilla, Peru (895 m)

This is another high waterfall, relatively recently discovered in Peru. It is located in the Amazon basin, and regarding its height, there is still debate among scientists regarding its exact characteristics. Some data give 870 meters, while others give 895.4 meters. The waterfall consists of many cascades along four steep slopes. The Ministry of Tourism of Peru was very happy about the discovery of another beautiful waterfall in its country, after which it decided to organize a two-day tour of the most significant waterfalls in the country.
This waterfall boasts height, but not the power of the stream. Of the entire trajectory of its fall, only about 600 meters remain visible. It is impossible to get to the waterfall without a local guide, since there are no signs installed here. And its inaccessibility became the reason for the small number of available photographs.


Seamounts, unlike land mountains, are isolated rises of the underwater bottom and are characterized by clearly defined peaks or peaks...

6. Vinnufossen, Norway (860 m)

Norway is home to the highest waterfall in Europe, Vinufossen, which is formed by the fall of the Vinnu River from the top of Vinnufjellet, which then flows into another river, Driva. Winnu is fed by meltwater from the Winnufon glacier, which melts from the sun's rays. It is curious that the root “vinnu”, which is present in the name of a mountain, glacier, river and waterfall, is no longer present in the current language of the Norwegians.
This is a cascading waterfall, its largest step is 420 meters. There are other attractions near Vinnufossen that are interesting for tourists. Also nearby (only 39 kilometers) is the Dovrefjell National Park.

7. Balaifossen, Norway (850 m)

There is another tall waterfall in Norway - Balaifossen. It becomes especially full-flowing towards the end of spring. The waterfall is 6 meters wide and is fed by the Bala stream, flowing from a mountain lake. This waterfall has three steps, after the last of which the water falls into the sea. The highest cascade reaches 452 meters. But it is not very interesting for tourists, since the volume of its spillway is quite small, and at some moments it even dries up. As soon as the warm summer begins, Balaifossen turns into a barely noticeable trickle, and all thanks to its low-water source.
Since the waterfall is completely dependent on melting snow, its power depends on the weather, time of year and characteristics of the season, and therefore is an extremely fickle thing. If you travel around Norway in July and plan to look at the Balaifossen waterfall, then when you get here you can see a stone and completely dry riverbed. The general warming of the world's climate has the most negative impact on this waterfall. The glacier above it is gradually decreasing in size, and is less and less able to provide water for the autumn replenishment of this waterfall, so after some time it may completely disappear.


South America is something unattainable and exotic for us. A lot of literary works have been written about these places, a huge amount has been filmed...

8. Puukaoku, USA (840 m)

On the small Hawaiian island of Molokai, there are two waterfalls that are among the ten highest in the world. It is at its fullest during the rainy season, which lasts here from November to March. And in this case, the water from the waterfall flows directly into the Pacific Ocean. By the way, it is best seen from the water. In many ways, this waterfall repeats its taller brother Olopen, since it also does not give the picture of a free fall of water, which slides along almost vertical rocks. Since the surrounding slopes are inaccessible to the average person, few people were able to photograph this waterfall.
There are many dense thickets growing along the slopes, which, on the one hand, hide the waterfall from view, and on the other, holding weakly in the loose volcanic soil, they are a very unreliable support, at least for a person loaded with additional equipment. But it’s quite easy to look at it from the sea - you just need to buy a ticket for a boat, which is provided specifically for this by various travel companies. By sea you can get so close to the place where the water falls that you will find yourself immersed in a cloud of fog that always surrounds this place.
An even more impressive picture opens up when you look at the waterfall from a helicopter. Sometimes, when a strong wind blows from the ocean, the gusts of water do not fall into the ocean, but are picked up by the wind. But tourists, as a rule, cannot see such a unique spectacle either from helicopters or boats, since such a trip becomes too dangerous in bad weather.

9. James Bruce, Canada (840 m)

This tallest waterfall in North America was named after the famous traveler, Scotsman James Bruce, who distinguished himself by reaching the source of the Blue Nile. Bruce Falls itself is located in British Columbia, in the Princess Louise Marine Park. It is not too wide - only 5 meters, and it is fed by two streams generated by mountain glaciers, one stream is constant, and the other dries up in the summer. Therefore, the largest spillway is observed at this waterfall in autumn or rainy winter.


Rivers entangle all of Russia like a web. If you count them all down to the smallest one, you get over 2.5 million! But the vast majority of them...

10. Brown, New Zealand (836 m)

Brown Falls is located on the South Island of New Zealand, within Fiordland National Park. With a width of 12 meters, it discharges 3 cubic meters of water every second, but when the water level in the lake that feeds it is at its maximum, the flow increases to 14 cubic meters. This is a very long waterfall, the water flows in it at an angle of 42 degrees, so it reaches its lowest point after covering 1130 meters horizontally from the start. We can say that this is one large cascade, where the maximum drop is 244 meters high.
Brown Falls is surrounded by typical New Zealand rainforest. It feeds on water from the alpine lake of the same name. At the end of its journey, the water enters the fjord, which is part of Arm Bay. The waterfall and lake were named after the aerial photographer Victor Brown, who first discovered them when he flew over local lands in 1940.

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The name Angel Falls does not sound the same in different languages.

In Spanish it's Salto?ngel, in Pemon - Kerepakupai Vena, or the waterfall of the deepest place, or in other words, a fall from the highest point - Parakup? Vena. Angel - the highest waterfall on Earth, its height is 979 meters or in pounds it is 3212. The height of the continuous fall of water is 807 meters or in pounds 2648.

The highest point of the waterfall is Mount Auyantepui, which is located in the Canaima National Park, in Spanish - Parque Nacional Canaima. The park is included in the UNESCO heritage list. Its location is South America, Venezuela, Bolivar state, Gran Sabana region.

Angel Falls has rightfully earned the title of the highest waterfall. It consists of the main stream of water, sheer cascades and rapids of about 400 meters in length or in miles this is 0.25 and steep rapids downstream of 30 meters or 98 feet in length.

There are many stories and legends to be told about Angel Falls. One of them concerns how the tallest waterfall on Earth was discovered. The name of the waterfall comes from the name of the American pilot, whose name was James Angel. In 1937, his plane was damaged near the top of the falls. One of his landing gear burst when the pilot wanted to land. For almost 11 days, the pilot and his team searched for ways from the waterfall to human civilization, after which they told the whole world about the waterfall. Today in Venezuela it is one of the best and favorite vacation spots for tourists and locals.

Angel Falls can be reached in one of three ways. You can get to it on foot, but such an excursion is not suitable for everyone, because... There is a fairly steep climb to the waterfall. The advantage of such a trip will be getting to know the picturesque views of the waterfall and observing the beautiful nature of these places. In addition to walking, you can get to the waterfall by boat, in which case you will also need to climb the mountain. You can see Angel Falls from a bird's eye view if you choose a helicopter tour.

Angel Falls It is also famous for the height of its sheer drop. More than twenty-six hundred feet of water rushes down. If we compare these data with the height of a continuous fall, one of the most famous, Niagara Falls, then these figures will be 15 times less. Thus, the tallest waterfall on Earth also holds the record for the longest water fall.

Canaima National Park, where Angel Falls is located, is famous not only in Venezuela but throughout the world for its exquisite beauty. First of all, tourists strive to visit this park in order to see with their own eyes all the beauty and power of the waterfall.

Angel Falls has a base of one hundred and fifty meters. The hike from the lower base to the top of the falls can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Excursions to the top of the waterfall are a success among tourists from all over the world.

In addition to the name Angel, this waterfall has other names. For example, Big River Falls or Big River Falls, Tulume Bena or Tulume Ben. You can fly to Caracas on one of the cheapest flights, which is why hundreds of tourists from all over the world fly here every year. Falling water is very beautiful because... has a silvery tint that looks like a shimmering glow.

During the rainy season, the flow of Angel Falls is divided into two parts. If the water level rises, the spray of the waterfall can be felt for several kilometers around.

21.09.2013

There are many joys in nature. One of the many joys provided by nature - for example big waterfalls.. Stories at the waterfalls are happy and sad. Some of them remained untouched, far from tourist excursions, while others were destroyed in the name of human interest. With that said, here are the ten largest tall waterfalls in the world, great ones and some of the ones that still survive:

No. 10. Niagara Falls

What list of waterfalls would be complete without Niagara Falls? Many waterfalls are impressive in their height. But this is not about Niagara Falls. At only 167 meters high, it is not even included in the top 100 tallest waterfalls. Niagara Falls is actually famous for another reason; that it is the world's largest waterfall by volume. Niagara Falls is actually a combination of three waterfalls that form the end of the Niagara Gorge. Every second, more than 2,407 cubic meters of water overflows the crest line, making it number one among all non-flooded waterfalls. To give you a little perspective, Dettifoss ranks 9th among waterfalls in terms of flow speed, with an average of 193 cubic meters per second. This means that Niagara has a flow rate almost 13 times that of Dettifoss. All other waterfalls on this list rank well below Dettifoss in terms of flow speed. And it is not at all surprising that Niagara is one of largest waterfalls in the world, and also one of the most visited.

No. 9. Dettifoss


This waterfall is not very high, only 45 meters. But don't let this fool you. This Icelandic waterfall is considered the most powerful in Europe, its flow speed is 193 cubic meters per second. The falls were extremely difficult to reach until 2011. However, with the advent of a new road, you can simply drive by and admire.

No. 8. Yosemite Falls

This gem of Yosemite National Park is highest waterfall in North America with a height of 739 m. This multi-level waterfall is divided into three: upper falls, middle cascades and lower falls. The upper waterfalls reach a height of 440 meters. The middle cascades are 206 meters. Lower waterfalls - 98 meters.

No. 7. Keitur

This big waterfall is located in the little-known South American sovereign state of Guyana. The speed of falling water is about 633 meters per second. He ranks 123rd in the ranking highest waterfalls, its height is 226 meters. According to the World Waterfall Database, it is ranked 26th among the most scenic waterfalls in the world. If you ever visit this waterfall, try to get to the middle cascades. It is in this part of the waterfall that a beautiful view of the miracle of nature opens up.

No. 6. Waihilau Falls

It is a popular tourist attraction for those visiting Hawaii. This waterfall is 792 meters high. This valley was abandoned in the 1940s. Thus, the valley became one of the few natural sites on the island untouched by man. If you are ever in Hawaii, you should definitely visit this place, especially if you are a tourist who appreciates beautiful scenery.

No. 5. Langfossen

Langfossen is another one big waterfall in Western Norway. At no more than 600 meters high, it is not as tall as Rämnefjellsfossen. However, many argue that its beauty far surpasses Rämnefjellsfossen. In fact, CNN chose Langfossen as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. This waterfall is located near the European highway E134; you can just arrive, park your car on the side of the road and enjoy. Simply by virtue of its beauty, it deserves to be on this list.

No. 4. Utigard

It is located in Norway and is considered the third of tallest waterfalls in the world among famous publications. However, this is not official, since according to other sources he is even outside the top ten. Whether he ranks third or not, Utigard certainly deserves a mention on this list. This waterfall has three rapids (the largest reaches 600 meters), it is located on the Jostedalsbreen glacier and flows into Lake Lovetnet. To admire the falls up close, you will have to pay a nominal fee for a ticket to the observation deck. This small contribution will go towards maintaining the waterfall viewing platform.

No. 3. Kukenan Falls

It is the second highest waterfall in Venezuela (after Angel Falls), and is regarded as one of the tallest waterfalls in the world. It has one rapid, 674 m high, and flows down the Kukenan Tepui mesa. Although it is one of the tallest waterfalls in the world, it is not as popular as Angel Falls.

No. 2. Tugela Falls

This is South African big waterfall 948 m high, it is the second highest waterfall in the world. The longest rapid is just over 400 meters. Even though the waterfall is in a relatively accessible location, getting there is a different story. Depending on your level of training, you will spend from 4 to 8 hours on the road. However, the good news is that you will be hiking through the Amphitheater cliff face, one of the most imposing geographic features on Earth. But to begin your hike, you will have to drive at least an hour to get to the trailhead. After all, getting to the falls is a full day of adventure.

No. 1. Angel Falls

If only height is considered, Angel Falls is largest waterfall in the world. Angel Falls reaches a height of 979 meters. The highest threshold (out of 47) is at an altitude of 807 meters. Although the falls are located in Venezuela, they are named after American aviator Jimmy Angel because he was the first to fly (accidentally) over the falls in 1933. Before this, he was relatively unknown outside of Venezuela. As you can imagine, the waterfall is now a famous tourist attraction in the country. But if you want to visit it, you must be warned; There may be some minor problems with this. Because it is in the jungle, in undeveloped areas, and you will have to fly to Puerto Ordaz or Ciudad Bolivar to get to where the raft leading to the waterfall will be waiting for you.

You won't believe how tall the world's tallest waterfalls are. Whether out of curiosity or scientific meticulousness, people have always sought to measure the height of the world's waterfalls, but it has been difficult to compare the resulting measurements. This is because there is no standard or consensus on how to measure overall height, and furthermore, some of the tallest waterfalls are extremely difficult to access. Therefore, the data obtained are usually approximate.

Using some of the known data regarding the height of waterfalls, we have compiled a list of the tallest waterfalls in the world. From Yosemite Falls in California to the famous Angel Falls in Venezuela, here are the 25 tallest waterfalls in the world.

25. Avalanche Basin Falls, Montana, USA - 707 m

Located in Glacier National Park in Montana, Avalanche Basin Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the continental United States. It is fed by the northernmost part of the Sperry Glacier, dozens of mountain lakes and streams formed as a result of snowmelt.

24. Kjeragfossen, Norway - 715 m


Photo: en.wikipedia.org

Located in a very picturesque natural area in the municipality of Forsand in Rogaland County, Norway, Kjeragfossen is a free-fall waterfall that is usually active for about 5 months of the year.

23. Manawainui Falls, Hawaii, USA - 719 m


Photo: Shutterstock

Manawainui Falls, located in the stunning Manawainui Valley on the Hawaiian island of Maui, is one of the most impressive and tallest waterfalls in both the state and the world.

22. Olmaafossen, Norway - 720 m


Photo: Shutterstock

One of many on the list of Norwegian waterfalls, Olmaafossen is located in Raumadalen in the municipality of Rauma in Western Norway. The waterfall is fed by small lakes and glaciers, but its power varies greatly depending on the season.

21. Cascade Falls de Trou de Fer, Reunion, France - 725 m


Photo: Public Domain

Located in the Trou de Fer Canyon on Reunion Island, which lies off the coast of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, the Cascade Falls de Trou de Fer are the highest and most spectacular on this French island.

20. Yosemite Falls, California, USA - 739 m


Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

Falling a total of 739 m, Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in Yosemite National Park and one of the tallest in the United States. This is the main attraction of the park, especially in late spring when the water flows from the top of the mountain.

19. Johannesburg Falls, Washington, USA - 751 m


Photo: Shutterstock

Located near the Cascade Pass in North Cascades National Park in Washington, Johannesburg Falls is a massive, impressive waterfall fed by small streams that flow from glaciers on Mount Johannesburg. .

18. Kjellfossen, Norway - 755 m


Photo: Shutterstock

Located near the village of Gudvangen in Sogn og Fjordane County, Western Norway, Kjellfossen is listed as the 18th highest in the world. However, the height of the falls has never been measured accurately, so it may be higher. Some sources indicate that the height of the waterfall is 840 m.

17. Mutarazi Falls, Zimbabwe - 762 m


Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

The second largest in Africa, Mutarazi Falls is located in Nyanga National Park in Zimbabwe. The summer season, characterized by heavy rainfall, is the best time to visit this place as the water flow reaches its maximum during this time.

16. Gokta Falls, Peru – 771 m


Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

Gocta Catarats Falls is a year-round waterfall with two levels located in the Peruvian province of Chachapoyas in Amazonas. Although the waterfall has been well known to locals for centuries, the world did not know of its existence until 2005, when an expedition organized by German Stefan Ziemendorff and a group of Peruvian researchers took place.

15. Mongefossen, Norway - 773 m


Photo: Public Domain

Mongefossen, located in Rauma Municipality in Norway, is the tallest waterfall in the world that can be seen from the train station. There is some disagreement regarding the height of the waterfall, but it is usually given as 773 m.

14. Colonial Creek Falls, Washington, USA - 788 m


Photo: Shutterstock

Located in the North Cascades National Park in Washington, Colonial Creek Falls is the tallest waterfall in the continental United States. The water stream falls from a total height of more than 1300 m from 13 separate levels with an average slope of 65 degrees.

13. Waihilau Falls, Hawaii, USA – 792 m


Photo: Shutterstock

Fed by the Waihilau River, Waihilau Falls are found in Hawaii's picturesque Waimanu Valley, which, like many other major valleys in the Hawaiian Islands, is covered in lush green vegetation.

12. Ramnefjellsfossen, Norway - 818 m


Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

Located on Mount Ramnefjellet in the municipality of Stryn in Sogn og Fjordane County, Norway, Ramnefjellsfossen is an 818 meter waterfall fed by the Ramnefjellbreen Glacier. You can get to it by boat, plane, or road, and there is a campsite within walking distance of the waterfall.

11. Strupenfossen, Norway - 820 m


Photo: Shutterstock

Fed by a huge glacier called Myklebustbreen, Strupenfossen is another famous Norwegian waterfall. It is not very powerful, but is unique in its shape. Summer is the best time to see it because at this time the water from the melting ice on the glacier reaches its maximum.

10. Brown Falls, New Zealand - 836 m


Photo: Public Domain

New Zealand is famous for its stunningly beautiful waterfalls, but only one of them made the list. Browne Falls is located in Fiordland National Park on the South Island of New Zealand, surrounded by stunning scenery with many species of plants and birds.

9. James Bruce Falls, Canada - 840 m


Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

James Bruce Falls, located in Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada, is the tallest of several dozen waterfalls that cascade over rocks into Princess Louisa Bay. The falls are fed by a small remaining glacier located at an altitude of 1,524 m above sea level.

8. Pukauku Falls, Hawaii, USA - 840 m


Photo: Shutterstock

Puukaoku Falls formed on some of the highest cliffs in the world (Haloku Cliffs), which are located in the northeastern part of the island of Molokai. The waterfall of the waterfall is very thin and pressed deep into the rock, so it is rarely seen and photographed.

7. Balaifossen, Norway - 850 m


Photo: Shutterstock

Balaifossen is one of the highest waterfalls in Norway and is located in the municipality of Ulvik in the southern part of the country. It is fed by the Balai River, which flows down 850 m and ends at Osafjorden, a huge fjord.

6. Vinnufossen, Norway - 860 m


Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

Located east of the village of Sunndalsora in the municipality of Sunndal in More og Romsdal County, Norway, Vinnufossen is the tallest waterfall in Europe and the sixth tallest in the world. It is part of the Vinnu River, which flows from Mount Vinnufjellet and is fed by the Vinnufonna Glacier.

5. Umbllilla Falls, Peru - 896 m


Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

Hidden deep in the lush rainforest of Peru's northern Amazonas region, Yumbilla Falls is an impressive 896 m high. It became known to the international community in 2007 when it was published in local and then international print media. report by researchers from Peru's National Geographic Institute.

4. Olopena Falls, Hawaii, USA - 900 m


Photo: Shutterstock

Oloupena Falls is a waterfall located in the northeastern part of the Hawaiian island of Molokai, and due to its stunning height of 900 m, it is considered the fourth highest waterfall in the world. It was formed by a fast, short seasonal flow, and falls from the edge of one of the highest sea cliffs in the world.

3. Tres Hermanos Falls, Peru - 914 m


Photo: Shutterstock

Located in the protected Parque Nacional Otishi National Forest in Peru, Tres Hermanas Falls (translated as "Fall of the Three Sisters") is the third tallest waterfall in the world. It stands at an astounding 914m tall and is named after the three distinct parts it is made up of.

2. Tugela Falls, South Africa - 948 m


Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

Tugela Falls are a set of seasonal waterfalls located in the Royal Natal National Park in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is considered to be the second highest waterfall, but in fact, it, and not Angel Falls, may be the highest waterfall in the world. The total height of its 5 spans is 948 m, but a Czech scientific expedition recently carried out new measurements, resulting in 983 m.

1. Angel Falls, Venezuela - 979 m


Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

Situated on the edge of Auyantepui Mountain in Canaima National Park in the Gran Sabana region of Bolivar State, Venezuela, Angel Falls is the tallest waterfall in the world, with a staggering height of 979 m and a free fall height of 807 m. Although the waterfall is located in an isolated jungle and is difficult to access, it has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country.

Among all the wonders given to man by nature, waterfalls are perhaps the most popular. Their beauty fascinates tourists, and their power inspires admiration. 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 landmarks in Africa. It was discovered in 1855 by Scottish missionary and explorer David Livingstone. The width of the waterfall is approximately 1,800 meters, height - 128 meters. Average water consumption is 1,088 m³/s.


Iguazu is a cascade of waterfalls located on the Iguazu River on the border of the Brazilian state of Paraná (in the Southern region of 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, approximately once every forty years during a drought, Iguazu dries out completely. It is one of the most visited tourist sites in South America. More than 700,000 tourists try 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 ranges from 40 to 82 m. The average water flow is approx. 1,500 m³/s, and in different seasons varies from 500 to 6,500 m³/s.


Urubupunga is a waterfall on the Paraná 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 consumption was 2,747 cubic meters per second. Unfortunately, it was flooded due to rising river levels as a result of the construction of the Sousa Díaz hydroelectric power station, which at one time was the largest hydroelectric power station in Brazil.

Paulo Afonso


Paulo Afonso is a series of rapids and three waterfalls in northeastern Brazil, on the São 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 a great height, since the hydroelectric power station and dam have blocked the river, it can however be seen again during floods, when the additional flow of the dam is opened. Before this, the waterfall on average flowed about 3,000 m³ of water per second, the maximum flow rate 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. Famous for its beauty. Its maximum height is 53 m, width - 790 m (Horseshoe Falls). In terms of the volume of water passing through it, it is the most powerful in North America: more than 3,160 tons of water per second, during periods of greatest activity 5,720 m³/s. was first discovered to Europeans by the Belgian missionary and traveler Louis Enpen in 1677.


Para is a waterfall located on the Caura River in South America, in the state of Bolivar, in the tropical, inaccessible forests of Venezuela. The water here falls in seven cascades from a height of 64 meters (according to other sources - 60 m). The width of the waterfall is 5,608 m, it 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 on the lower Columbia River, was a regular fishing spot for local tribes until the construction of the 79-meter Dallas Dam. With a small 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 floods the flow rate could reach 11,300 m³/s.


Khon is a waterfall in southeast 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, maximum - 12,954 m. According to this indicator, it is considered the widest in the world. On average he resets every second 11,610 m³ water, and during the period of maximum water level in the river, the flow rate can reach 49,554 m³/s. It was discovered in 1920 by 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 cascading water created a deafening noise that could be heard 30 km away. It was also considered an important tourism center for many years, but ceased to exist in 1982 when it was blown up to flood the Itaipu Dam reservoir. It is interesting that before his final “death” he managed to take revenge on humanity and took with him 82 tourists who expressed a desire to say goodbye to him. Guaira tore down the suspension bridge on which they stood and pulled them into the watery abyss.


Stanley or Boyoma Falls is a waterfall in Central Africa, on the Lualaba River, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is a series of seven waterfalls (thresholds), with a total height of 61 m, a width of 1,372 m, and a length of up to 100 km. On average, he misses every second 16,990 m³ water, and during the flood period, 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.