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Amazing Waterfalls of the World

There are thousands of waterfalls all over the world. Many are small in stature; nothing more than trickles eroding the rock around them.

 

1.   Angel Falls

Located in Venezuela, is the tallest waterfall in the world. Ist largest plunge is over 2,600 feet and boasts a total height of 3,212 feet. The average width of its stream is 350 feet. Pilot Jimmy Angel is widely credited for discovering the falls in 1937, but the true discoverer was Ernesto de Santa Cruz, who found the falls in 1910. As is the norm, the falls were named after the first westerner to discover them.

2. Gavarnie (Grande Cascade de)

Located in France, is just above average in height on this list (1,384 feet). It is the tallest waterfall in France. Gavarnie is fed by a glaciel lake with no outlet, the water instead sinking into the limestone substrate and escaping as the falls.

3. Gocta, Catarata

Located in Peru is one of the few newly discovered falls the world has to offer. It’s only brought to the attention of the Peruvian government in 2002. It is hard to imagine a waterfall over 2,500 feet in height going unnoticed for so long.

4. Iguazu, or Iguacu

Iguazu or Iguacu is has the shortest drop on our list — a paltry 269 feet. However, the magnitude (61,660 cubic feet/second) of these falls is astonishing. Straddling the border between Argentina and Brazil, people from all over the world have visited this magnificent display of nature’s raw power.

5. Kaieteur Falls

Located in Guyana, is one of the rare waterfalls of the world blessed with the unusual combination of power and height. Kaieteur is an imposing aquatic wall only rivaled by India’s Jog Falls.

6. The Langfoss (Langfossen)

Located in Norway, this waterfall cascades over 2000 feet down an angular mountain face and beneath a major roadway (providing up-close viewing access). A rarity for streams of this magnitude in Norway, Langfoss remains untapped for hydroelectric production.

7. Mardalsfossen

Again representing the country of Norway, Mardalsfossen bests Langfossen in height but not magnitude. Mardalsfossen consists of a two-tiered drop, both plunges, and a series of cascading falls at its base.

8. Sutherland Falls,

New Zealand’s famous waterfall, Sutherland Falls, is an awe-inspiring vision of nature and known worldwide. It is fed by Lake Quill, whose waters can be attributed to several glaciers. Three steps, or descents, lead to this waterfall’s base (751 feet, 815feet, and 338 feet).

9. Victoria Falls

Lying on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls is an other powerful waterfall representing the continent of Africa. It spans almost 6,000 feet and can be broken down into four main segments (The Devil’s Cataract, Main Falls, Rainbow Falls, and the Eastern Cataract). This waterfall provides spectacular views, both from ground level and above. The native name of the falls is Mosi-oa-Tunya, which translates as “smoke that thunders.”

10. Yosemite Falls

America, only representative on the list, Yosemite Falls scenic surroundings are as much a lure to tourists as the falls themselves. The falls consist of a 1430 foot plunge, then 675 feet of cascades and finishes off with a 320 foot horsetail. Look closely at the second-to-last picture of the four and you may discern a shape in the mist.

The power and beauty of water in these photos is truly astonishing.