Difference between revisions of "Angel Falls" - New World Encyclopedia
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[[Image:Salto Angel from Raton.JPG|thumb|300px|Angels falls seen from Raton Camp.]] | [[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 3,212 feet with an uninterrupted drop of 2,648 feet lying in the [[Canaima National Park]], [[Venezuela]] at {{coor dms|5|58|03|N|62|32|08|W|}}. In Angel Falls is situated in the Churún River, an affluent of the [[Carrao]]. Curún in indigenous Pemón language means "thunder." Angel Falls is located in the Guayana highlands, one of the five topographical regions of Venezuela. It plunges off the edge of a '' | + | '''Angel Falls''' or '''Salto Ángel''' (indigenous name: ''Kerepakupay Vená'') is the world's highest, free-falling [[waterfall]] at 3,212 feet with an uninterrupted drop of 2,648 feet lying in the [[Canaima National Park]], [[Venezuela]] at {{coor dms|5|58|03|N|62|32|08|W|}}. In Angel Falls is situated in the Churún River, an affluent of the [[Carrao]]. Curún in indigenous Pemón language means "thunder." Angel Falls is located in the Guayana highlands, one of the five topographical regions of Venezuela. It plunges off the edge of a ''tepui'', or table-top mountain, called Auyan Tepui. In total 15 times higher than [[Niagara Falls]], Angels Falls one of Venezuela's top tourist attractions. |
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Although sighted in the early twentieth 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, [[Jimmie Angel|James Crawford Angel]], on a flight while 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, the indigenous name for the falls was "Devil's Mouth." | Although sighted in the early twentieth 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, [[Jimmie Angel|James Crawford Angel]], on a flight while 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, the indigenous name for the falls was "Devil's Mouth." | ||
| − | Angel's [[monoplane]] settled down into the marshy ground atop Auyan | + | Angel's [[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 mountain and make their way back to civilization in 11 days. Angel's plane cuurently sits in the Aviation Museum in [[Maracay]]. A similar plane visible at the top of the falls is a replica. |
The official height of the falls was determined by a [[National Geographic Society]] survey in 1949. The first successful climb up the face of Auyan Tepui (Devil's Mountain) to the top of the falls was chronicled in David Nott's book, ''Angels Four''. | The official height of the falls was determined by a [[National Geographic Society]] survey in 1949. The first successful climb up the face of Auyan Tepui (Devil's Mountain) to the top of the falls was chronicled in David Nott's book, ''Angels Four''. | ||
==Environment== | ==Environment== | ||
| + | ===Flora and fauna=== | ||
| + | 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 tepuys, 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. | ||
| − | + | Tourists sometimes refer to the stretch of the Churún River where the falls are located 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." | |
| − | |||
| − | + | There is an incredible variety of tropical wildlife in the area, including [[monkey]]s, poison arrow [[frog]]s, and hundreds of species of [[orchid]]s. Aside from the monkeys, mammals in the area are generally difficult to spot but include giant [[anteater]]s, [[armadillo]]s, [[porcupine]]s, three-toed [[sloth]]s, [[otter]]s, [[jaguar]]s, [[puma]]s, [[tapir]]s, and [[capybara]]s. | |
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| − | + | ===Geology=== | |
| + | Lying with the [[Canaima National Park]] Angel Falls is part of the plateau that underlies the lands located in [[Venezuela]] to the south of the [[Orinoco River]]. The plateau's age is estimated at two billion years. Important geological transformations can be experienced at the park, from its beginnings in the [[Precambrian]] period dating back to the time of the formation of the super continent [[Pangaea]], which included [[America]], [[Africa]], [[Antarctica]], [[Asia]], and [[Europe]]. | ||
| − | + | This continent began to separate due to the formation of a fracture in the planet's crust resulting in the formation of the [[Atlantic Ocean]], and the creation of different portions of lands called shields. The geographic region in Venezuela, known as the Guyanese Shield, existed from the start as a great plain at an elevation roughly as high as today's visible [[Tepuy Mountains]], about 6500 to 9800 feet. After the formation of the great plain, during a long period of time—approximately 400 to 200 million years ago—a series of climate-related phenomena caused important changes in the geography of the Guyanese shield. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | The transformation of the landscape owed itself to drastic variations of arid climate to humid and vice versa; of strong, constant, and lingering precipitations; droughts, freezing, discharges with high and low temperatures; storms, hurricanes, and the tectonic movements of the earth. The erosion was caused by atmospheric agents removing the material deposited in the great plain during millions of years. In places where the rock was less resistant, the erosion was greater resulting in this great transformation, the Tepuys, and the fantastic scenery at the falls. | |
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==Tourism== | ==Tourism== | ||
Revision as of 19:49, 24 April 2007
Angel Falls or Salto Ángel (indigenous name: Kerepakupay Vená) is the world's highest, free-falling waterfall at 3,212 feet with an uninterrupted drop of 2,648 feet lying in the Canaima National Park, Venezuela at {{#invoke:Coordinates|coord}}{{#coordinates:5|58|03|N|62|32|08|W| | |name= }}. In Angel Falls is situated in the Churún River, an affluent of the Carrao. Curún in indigenous Pemón language means "thunder." Angel Falls is located in the Guayana highlands, one of the five topographical regions of Venezuela. It plunges off the edge of a tepui, or table-top mountain, called Auyan Tepui. In total 15 times higher than Niagara Falls, Angels Falls one of Venezuela's top tourist attractions.
Discovery and history
Although sighted in the early twentieth 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 while 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, the indigenous name for the falls was "Devil's Mouth."
Angel's 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 mountain and make their way back to civilization in 11 days. Angel's plane cuurently sits in the Aviation Museum in Maracay. A similar plane visible at the top of the falls is a replica.
The official height of the falls was determined by a National Geographic Society survey in 1949. The first successful climb up the face of Auyan Tepui (Devil's Mountain) to the top of the falls was chronicled in David Nott's book, Angels Four.
Environment
Flora and fauna
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 tepuys, 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.
Tourists sometimes refer to the stretch of the Churún River where the falls are located 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."
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.
Geology
Lying with the Canaima National Park Angel Falls is part of the plateau that underlies the lands located in Venezuela to the south of the Orinoco River. The plateau's age is estimated at two billion years. Important geological transformations can be experienced at the park, from its beginnings in the Precambrian period dating back to the time of the formation of the super continent Pangaea, which included America, Africa, Antarctica, Asia, and Europe.
This continent began to separate due to the formation of a fracture in the planet's crust resulting in the formation of the Atlantic Ocean, and the creation of different portions of lands called shields. The geographic region in Venezuela, known as the Guyanese Shield, existed from the start as a great plain at an elevation roughly as high as today's visible Tepuy Mountains, about 6500 to 9800 feet. After the formation of the great plain, during a long period of time—approximately 400 to 200 million years ago—a series of climate-related phenomena caused important changes in the geography of the Guyanese shield.
The transformation of the landscape owed itself to drastic variations of arid climate to humid and vice versa; of strong, constant, and lingering precipitations; droughts, freezing, discharges with high and low temperatures; storms, hurricanes, and the tectonic movements of the earth. The erosion was caused by atmospheric agents removing the material deposited in the great plain during millions of years. In places where the rock was less resistant, the erosion was greater resulting in this great transformation, the Tepuys, and the fantastic scenery at the falls.
Tourism
Climate
Tropical, with frequent rainstorms. The driest time of year - when the Falls may be just a trickle - is from December to April.
Getting in
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. 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.
Tours
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 about $250.00 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) accommodations at the various campsites along the river towards the falls. Drinking the water at the falls is not recommended. 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 $4.00.
Getting 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 wear sports shoes for this hike.
Things to do
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.
Camping
Camping is NOT allowed in any circumstances. They are very strict about that.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Jordan, Tanis. Angel Falls: A South American Journey, Kingfisher Books, 1995. ISBN 978-1856975414
- Kallen, Stuart A. Extreme Places—The Highest Waterfall, Kid Haven Press, 2003. ISBN 978-0737718812
- Mattern, Joanne. Angels Falls: World's Highest Waterfall, PowerKids Press, 2002. ISBN 978-0823960163
- Watson, Galadriel. Angel Falls: The Highest Waterfall in the World, Weigl Publishers, 2004. ISBN 978-1590362679
External links
- Angel falls
- Article about Jimmie Angel and Ruth Robertson with photos
- Template:Wwdb name
- Travel guide to Angel Falls from Wikitravel
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- Mapping from Multimap or GlobalGuide or Google Maps
- Satellite image from WikiMapia
- Mapping from OpenStreetMap
Credits
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