Difference between revisions of "Angel Falls" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{Infobox Waterfall
 
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| name = Angel Falls
 
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| image = Salto Angel from Raton.JPG|thumb|300px
 
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| caption = Salto Angel from Raton
 
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| location = [[Auyantepui]], [[Canaima National Park]], [[Venezuela]]
 
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| type = Plunge
 
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| height = 979 m / 3,212 ft
 
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| height_longest = 807 m / 2,648 ft
 
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| number_drops = 2
 
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| average_flow =
 
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| world_rank = 1<ref> Angel Falls. (2006). In ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Retrieved 28 July 2006, from Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service: http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9007543</ref>
 
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}}
 
  
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[[Image:Salto Angel from Raton.JPG|thumb|300px|Angels falls seen from Raton Camp.]]
 
'''Angel Falls''' or '''Salto Ángel''' (indigenous name: ''Kerepakupay Vená'') is the world's highest free-falling [[waterfall]] at 979&nbsp;m (3,212 ft) with an uninterrupted drop of 807&nbsp;m (2,648 ft) lying in the [[Canaima National Park]], [[Venezuela]] at {{coor dms|5|58|03|N|62|32|08|W|}}.
 
'''Angel Falls''' or '''Salto Ángel''' (indigenous name: ''Kerepakupay Vená'') is the world's highest free-falling [[waterfall]] at 979&nbsp;m (3,212 ft) with an uninterrupted drop of 807&nbsp;m (2,648 ft) lying in the [[Canaima National Park]], [[Venezuela]] at {{coor dms|5|58|03|N|62|32|08|W|}}.
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==Heading One==
  
 
It is situated in the river [[Churún]], an affluent of the [[Carrao]]. Tourists sometimes refer to this stretch of the river as the [[Auyantepui|Auyan Tepui river]] but the river that culminates in the drop is the [[Kerepakupay|Kerepakupai-merú]]. In the indigenous [[Pemón]] language Kerepakupai-merú means "waterfall of the deepest place". The falls are also referred to as Churún-merú, an error, since that name corresponds to another waterfall within the Canaima National Park. Churún in indigenous Pemón language means "thunder".
 
It is situated in the river [[Churún]], an affluent of the [[Carrao]]. Tourists sometimes refer to this stretch of the river as the [[Auyantepui|Auyan Tepui river]] but the river that culminates in the drop is the [[Kerepakupay|Kerepakupai-merú]]. In the indigenous [[Pemón]] language Kerepakupai-merú means "waterfall of the deepest place". The falls are also referred to as Churún-merú, an error, since that name corresponds to another waterfall within the Canaima National Park. Churún in indigenous Pemón language means "thunder".
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Angel Falls is located in the wilderness of Venezuela, and a trip to the falls is not a simple affair. An air flight is required. Trips to the falls are sold in a package that includes a plane flight from [[Caracas]] or [[Ciudad Bolívar]] to Canaima (the town which acts as an entry point to the national park), and subsequent boat trips, meals, and boarding, required to reach the falls. It is also possible to purchase a package that includes an aerial flyby of the falls. The falls cannot be seen on cloudy days, and there is no guarantee a visitor will see them. During the dry season (December to March) there is less water than what is seen in some photos, but it also more likely that the top will not be clouded. The entire trip usually takes 24 hours.
 
Angel Falls is located in the wilderness of Venezuela, and a trip to the falls is not a simple affair. An air flight is required. Trips to the falls are sold in a package that includes a plane flight from [[Caracas]] or [[Ciudad Bolívar]] to Canaima (the town which acts as an entry point to the national park), and subsequent boat trips, meals, and boarding, required to reach the falls. It is also possible to purchase a package that includes an aerial flyby of the falls. The falls cannot be seen on cloudy days, and there is no guarantee a visitor will see them. During the dry season (December to March) there is less water than what is seen in some photos, but it also more likely that the top will not be clouded. The entire trip usually takes 24 hours.
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steve... below info from wikitravel article  [[User:Dan Fefferman|Dan]] 18:33, 19 April 2007 (UTC)
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===Landscape===
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Angel Falls is situated in the [[Gran Sabana]] region of Venezuela. The periphery of this area is filled with grasslands, whereas deeper into the Gran Sabana one finds dense jungle. This part of the world is remarkable for its numerous tepuy, which are flat-topped mountains with flat walls. Angel falls is located on the side of an extremely large and high tepuy known as Auyan Tepuy.
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===Flora and fauna===
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There is an incredible variety of tropical wildlife in the area, including monkeys, poison arrow frogs and hundreds of species of orchids. Aside from the monkeys, mammals in the area are generally difficult to spot but include giant anteaters, armadillos, porcupines, three-toed sloths, otters, jaguars, pumas, tapirs and capybaras.
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===Climate===
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Tropical, with frequent rainstorms. The driest time of year - when the Falls may be just a trickle - is from December to April.
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==Get in==
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In principle one can charter a plane to [[Canaima]], and then try to organize oneself to get to the falls. In practice, the simplest thing to do is sign up for a tour that takes care of the details. If you book a tour from your home country, it is likely to be rather expensive. Similarly, booking a tour from [[Caracas]] will cost more. It is cheapest to book a tour from [[Ciudad Bolivar]]. Nearly all the angel falls tours operate out of this city, and their prices include the cost of a plane that flies from Ciudad Bolivar to Canaima. Expect to pay between Bs. 500,000 and 600,000 (approximately US$ 250) for a three-day tour that brings you to the falls. More expensive tours may include a flight that takes you right over the falls.
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A typical tour will include the flight to [[Canaima]], and then three days of meals and (very simple and rustic) accommodation at the various campsites along the river towards the falls. Boat rides along with sections of hiking are required to get to the campsites. Tour guides typically speak spanish and english.
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==Fees/Permits==
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Angel Falls is deep within the National Park. When first entering the park (at the airport in [[Canaima]]) one must pay the park entrance fee of Bs. 8000 (US$ 4).
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==Get around==
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The small settlement of Canaima is negotiable by foot. Trips up to the Falls, however, will be in a dugout canoe, or curiara. The 30-minute or so walk from the closest point on the river to the base of the Falls is not easy going because of large tree roots on the path and visitors are advised to take sports shoes or suchlike for this hike.
 +
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==Do==
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[[Image:Angel falls pool.jpg|thumb|200px|The pool of water that collects beneath Angel Falls makes for a refreshing swim.]]
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The trip towards the fall itself has many attractions. The boat rides and walks through the jungle offer a unique view of Venezuelan flora, fauna, and terrain. If the water flow is mild enough, you can swim in the small pool that forms below the falls.
 +
 +
==Eat==
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Simple food will be provided by your tour company.
 +
 +
==Drink==
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Drinking the water at the falls is not recommended.
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==Sleep==
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See some tours with lodging on the [[Canaima National Park]] page.
 +
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===Lodging===
 +
 +
===Camping===
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Camping is NOT allowed in any circumstances. They are very strict about that.
 +
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 18:41, 19 April 2007


Angels falls seen from Raton Camp.

Angel Falls or Salto Ángel (indigenous name: Kerepakupay Vená) is the world's highest free-falling waterfall at 979 m (3,212 ft) with an uninterrupted drop of 807 m (2,648 ft) lying in the Canaima National Park, Venezuela at {{#invoke:Coordinates|coord}}{{#coordinates:5|58|03|N|62|32|08|W| | |name= }}.

Heading One

It is situated in the river Churún, an affluent of the Carrao. Tourists sometimes refer to this stretch of the river as the Auyan Tepui river but the river that culminates in the drop is the Kerepakupai-merú. In the indigenous Pemón language Kerepakupai-merú means "waterfall of the deepest place". The falls are also referred to as Churún-merú, an error, since that name corresponds to another waterfall within the Canaima National Park. Churún in indigenous Pemón language means "thunder".

Although sighted in the early 20th century by the explorer Ernesto Sanchez La Cruz, the waterfall was not known to the Western world until it was visited in 1935 by the American aviator, James Crawford Angel, on a flight whilst searching for a valuable ore bed. In 1936, he returned and landed his plane at the top of the waterfall. The falls are currently named "Angel Falls" after him; interestingly enough, the indigenous name for the falls was "Devil's Mouth".

Angel's Flamingo monoplane settled down into the marshy ground atop Auyan-tepui and remained there for 33 years before being lifted out by a helicopter. Jimmy Angel and his three companions managed to descend the tepui and make their way back to civilization in 11 days. Jimmy Angel's plane sits in the Aviation Museum in Maracay; the one visible on the top of the tepui is a replica.

The official height was determined by a National Geographic Society survey in 1949 (see Jungle Journey to the World's Highest Waterfall by Ruth Robertson). David Nott's book, Angels Four, chronicles the first successful climb up the face of Auyan Tepui (Devil's Mountain) to the top of the falls. The falls are one of Venezuela's top tourist attractions.

Angel Falls is located in the wilderness of Venezuela, and a trip to the falls is not a simple affair. An air flight is required. Trips to the falls are sold in a package that includes a plane flight from Caracas or Ciudad Bolívar to Canaima (the town which acts as an entry point to the national park), and subsequent boat trips, meals, and boarding, required to reach the falls. It is also possible to purchase a package that includes an aerial flyby of the falls. The falls cannot be seen on cloudy days, and there is no guarantee a visitor will see them. During the dry season (December to March) there is less water than what is seen in some photos, but it also more likely that the top will not be clouded. The entire trip usually takes 24 hours. 

steve... below info from wikitravel article  Dan 18:33, 19 April 2007 (UTC)

Landscape

Angel Falls is situated in the Gran Sabana region of Venezuela. The periphery of this area is filled with grasslands, whereas deeper into the Gran Sabana one finds dense jungle. This part of the world is remarkable for its numerous tepuy, which are flat-topped mountains with flat walls. Angel falls is located on the side of an extremely large and high tepuy known as Auyan Tepuy.

Flora and fauna

There is an incredible variety of tropical wildlife in the area, including monkeys, poison arrow frogs and hundreds of species of orchids. Aside from the monkeys, mammals in the area are generally difficult to spot but include giant anteaters, armadillos, porcupines, three-toed sloths, otters, jaguars, pumas, tapirs and capybaras.

Climate

Tropical, with frequent rainstorms. The driest time of year - when the Falls may be just a trickle - is from December to April.

Get in

In principle one can charter a plane to Canaima, and then try to organize oneself to get to the falls. In practice, the simplest thing to do is sign up for a tour that takes care of the details. If you book a tour from your home country, it is likely to be rather expensive. Similarly, booking a tour from Caracas will cost more. It is cheapest to book a tour from Ciudad Bolivar. Nearly all the angel falls tours operate out of this city, and their prices include the cost of a plane that flies from Ciudad Bolivar to Canaima. Expect to pay between Bs. 500,000 and 600,000 (approximately US$ 250) for a three-day tour that brings you to the falls. More expensive tours may include a flight that takes you right over the falls.

A typical tour will include the flight to Canaima, and then three days of meals and (very simple and rustic) accommodation at the various campsites along the river towards the falls. Boat rides along with sections of hiking are required to get to the campsites. Tour guides typically speak spanish and english.

Fees/Permits

Angel Falls is deep within the National Park. When first entering the park (at the airport in Canaima) one must pay the park entrance fee of Bs. 8000 (US$ 4).

Get around

The small settlement of Canaima is negotiable by foot. Trips up to the Falls, however, will be in a dugout canoe, or curiara. The 30-minute or so walk from the closest point on the river to the base of the Falls is not easy going because of large tree roots on the path and visitors are advised to take sports shoes or suchlike for this hike.

Do

File:Angel falls pool.jpg
The pool of water that collects beneath Angel Falls makes for a refreshing swim.

The trip towards the fall itself has many attractions. The boat rides and walks through the jungle offer a unique view of Venezuelan flora, fauna, and terrain. If the water flow is mild enough, you can swim in the small pool that forms below the falls.

Eat

Simple food will be provided by your tour company.

Drink

Drinking the water at the falls is not recommended.

Sleep

See some tours with lodging on the Canaima National Park page.

Lodging

Camping

Camping is NOT allowed in any circumstances. They are very strict about that.


References
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