Waterfalls are found where a river of stream rushes over a cliff. Some stunning waterfalls have become tourist sites. There are best water falls from around the world, including Argentina, Zimbabwe, India, Africa. As everyone are aware of famous Niagara Falls, Here are the list of some of the famous, largest, tallest and biggest waterfalls from around the world.
- Iguazu Falls (Argentina):
Iguazu Falls or Iguassu Falls, are waterfalls of the Iguazu river located on the border of the Brazilian state of Parana and the Argentina province of misiones. The falls divide the river into the upper and lower Iguazu. The river flows through Brazil for most of its course, although most of the falls are on the Argentine side. The Iguazu River forms the boundary between Argentina and Brazil.
The falls is of 2.7 km width. There are number of islands along the 2.7 km and the edge divides the fall into numerous separate waterfalls and cataracts, varying between 60 to 82 meters (197 to 269 ft) high. The longest drop of the fall is measured about 82 meters (269 ft). The average flow rate of the water in this fall is about 1,756 m3/s (62,010 cu ft/s). The whole water fall system around 2.7 km is divided into 275 seperate falls. Taller than Niagara Falls and twice as wide, Iguazu Falls are the result of a volcanic eruption which left a large crack in the earth.
The best time to see Iguazu Falls are in the spring and fall. Summer is intensely tropically hot and humid, and in winter the water level is low.
On November 11 of 2011, Iguazu Falls was announced as one of the seven winners of the New Seven Wonders of Nature by the New Seven Wonders of the World Foundation.
- Victoria Falls ( Zambia & Zimbabwe):
Victoria Falls lies on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was described by the Kololo tribe living in the area in the 1800’s as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ – ‘The Smoke that Thunders’. In more modern terms Victoria Falls is known as the greatest curtain of falling water in the world. Zambians call it 'Mosi-oa-Tunya'. It is neither the highest nor the widest waterfall in the world, it is classified as the largest, based on its width of 1,708 metres (5,604 ft) and height of 108 metres (354 ft), resulting in the world's largest sheet of falling water. Victoria Falls is roughly twice the height of North America's Niagara Falls and well over twice the width of its Horseshoe Falls. In height and width Victoria Falls is rivalled only by Argentina and Brazil's Iguazu Falls. The average water flow rate is 1088 m³/s (38,430 cu ft/s).
The "smoke that thunders" is considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Sivasamudram Falls (India):
The Shivasamudram falls, also known as Shiva's Sea. The Shivasamudra Falls is on the Kaveri River, karnataka, India. This is a segmented waterfall. These falls divides Kaveri River into two different falls - the Gaganachukki falls and Bharachukki Falls. It has an average width of 305 meters, a height of 98 m, and an average volume of 934 cubic meter/s. The maximum recorded volume is 18,887 cubic meters / sec.
The time of best flow are the monsoon season of July to October.
It is the location of one of the first Hydro- electric Power stations in Asia, which was set up in the year 1902.
- Niagara Falls (Canada/USA) :
Niagara Falls is the collective name for three waterfalls, that are in the international border of USA and Canada. From largest to smallest, the three waterfalls are the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls. The combined falls from the three falls form the highest flow rate of any waterfall in the world. The total height of the Niagara Falls is 167 ft (51 m) and its average water flow rate is 85,000 cu ft/s (2,400 m3/s).
Niagara Falls are renowned both for their beauty and as a valuable source of hydroelectric power. Niagara Falls hydro-power now provide electricity for more than 160,000 homes.
The Plitvice waterfall is located at he Lakes Plitvice. This is a national park in the highlands of Plitvice, Croatia, on the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. There are Sixteen separate lakes (12 lakes upper cluster and 4 lakes below cluster).Plitvice Lakes which is situated on karstic rocks. The beauty of the Plitvice Lakes National Park lies in its sixteen lakes, inter-connected by a series of waterfalls. They are separated by natural dams of travertine, which is deposited by the action of moss, algae, and bacteria. Due to the colors of the lakes that ranges from azure to green, grey or blue and which changes constantly depending on the quantity of minerals or organisms in the water and the angle of sunlight, the waterfall is incredibly beautiful. These lakes and waterfalls are formed naturally and their heights ranges from 636 m to 503 m. Water that comes out of the lowest lake then forming the Korana river.
Havasu Falls is a waterfall of Havasu Creek, located in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA. It is within Havasupai tribal lands. The name “Havasupai” means “people of the blue-green waters”. The fall consists of one main chute that drops over a 90-foot (27 m) to 100-foot (30 m) vertical cliff into a large pool. Due to the high mineral content of the water, the configuration of the falls is ever-changing and sometimes breaks into two separate chutes of water. The vibrant blue water contrasts against the striking red rocks of the canyon walls as Havasu Falls. Havasu Falls and Havasu Creek get their blue color from the magnesium in the water. As the pools deepen and the calcium carbonate is slowly released from the water, the bluer the water appears as the relative magnesium content increases.
The permanent and uninterrupted waterfall in the world, Angel Falls or Salto Angel is the world’s highest waterfall, with a height of 979 m (3,212 ft.) and a plunge of 807 m (2,648 ft.). Angel Falls is located in the Guayana highlands( one of five great adventure regions in Venezuela). The water comes in a free fall of 979 meters hovering of the edge of the Auyantepuy Table mountain, this is the largest Tepuy (table mountain) in Canaima Venezuela. Auyantepuy is UNESCO World Heritage site in the Gran Sabana region of Bolívar State.
Niagara Falls are renowned both for their beauty and as a valuable source of hydroelectric power. Niagara Falls hydro-power now provide electricity for more than 160,000 homes.
- Plitvice Water Falls (Croatia):
The Plitvice waterfall is located at he Lakes Plitvice. This is a national park in the highlands of Plitvice, Croatia, on the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. There are Sixteen separate lakes (12 lakes upper cluster and 4 lakes below cluster).Plitvice Lakes which is situated on karstic rocks. The beauty of the Plitvice Lakes National Park lies in its sixteen lakes, inter-connected by a series of waterfalls. They are separated by natural dams of travertine, which is deposited by the action of moss, algae, and bacteria. Due to the colors of the lakes that ranges from azure to green, grey or blue and which changes constantly depending on the quantity of minerals or organisms in the water and the angle of sunlight, the waterfall is incredibly beautiful. These lakes and waterfalls are formed naturally and their heights ranges from 636 m to 503 m. Water that comes out of the lowest lake then forming the Korana river.
Park has been listed in UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. After Opertion Storm, UNESCO listed the park is in the status of danger on the List of World Heritage in Danger. In 2000, the park has been expanded by over 102 km .
- Havasu Falls (USA) :
Havasu Falls is a waterfall of Havasu Creek, located in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA. It is within Havasupai tribal lands. The name “Havasupai” means “people of the blue-green waters”. The fall consists of one main chute that drops over a 90-foot (27 m) to 100-foot (30 m) vertical cliff into a large pool. Due to the high mineral content of the water, the configuration of the falls is ever-changing and sometimes breaks into two separate chutes of water. The vibrant blue water contrasts against the striking red rocks of the canyon walls as Havasu Falls. Havasu Falls and Havasu Creek get their blue color from the magnesium in the water. As the pools deepen and the calcium carbonate is slowly released from the water, the bluer the water appears as the relative magnesium content increases.
Just as nature builds up by slowly creating travertine formations, nature occasionally destroys and makes major changes with flooding. Over 100 years ago, Havasu Falls looked completely different; back then water flowed down the cliff in a two hundred foot wide curtain and was known as Bridal Veil Falls. But in 1910 a major flash flood roared through the canyon and knocked in the travertine. The water started following the current channel thus creating the Havasu Falls.
- Angel Falls (Venezuela) :
The waterfall has been known as the "Angel Falls" since the mid twentieth century; they are named after Jimmie Angel, a US aviator, who was the first person to fly over the falls.Angel's ashes were scattered over the falls on July 2, 1960.
- YOSEMITE FALLS ( USA ) :
Yosemite Falls is the highest measured waterfall in North America and seventh highest waterfall in the world. Although the fall is called "two-stage drop" it is divided into three section, upper Yosemite fall, middle Fall and the lower fall. The total height of the fall is 2,425 ft (739 m), the longest fall is 2,425 ft (739 m). The Upper Yosemite Fall is 1,430-ft , Middle Falls is 675 feet (206 m) and the final fall is 320-foot (98 m).
Because many of Yosemite’s waterfalls are fed by snowmelt, the amount of water rushing over each waterfall can vary widely throughout the year.
- Seljalandsfoss ( Iceland) :
Seljalandsfoss is one of the most famous waterfalls of Iceland. It drops 40 metres (130 ft) over a cliff, which has a foot path at its bottom. What makes Seljalandsfoss so stunning is the vast lush green grassland landscape that surrounds it, giving it an out of earth sight. With a foot path behind it at the bottom of the cliff, but with a thin cascade, It is the only known waterfall of its kind, where it is possible to walk behind it. The waterfall is very picturesque.
- Gaping Gill Waterfall (England) :
Gaping Gill is a natural cave in North Yorkshire, England. It is one of the unmistakable landmarks on the southern slopes of Ingleborough a 98-metre (322 ft) deep pothole with the stream Fell Beck flowing into it.After falling through one of the largest known underground chambers in Britain, the water disappears into the bouldery floor ( cathedral sized limestone chamber) and eventually resurges adjacent to Ingleborough Cave.
The shaft was the deepest known in Britain, until Titan in Derbyshire was discovered in 1999. Gaping Gill still retains the records for the tallest unbroken waterfall in England and the largest underground chamber naturally open to the surface.
"Smoke Falls", once known as "Glass Falls", was discovered by a pilot in 1960 is in Bahia, Brazil. It was believed believed to be the country's highest waterfall. It is 353 m high. The waterfall is located in Chapada Diamantina, an attractive region for adventurers from all over the world given its hundreds of caves and waterfalls, and was named that way because the tiny water flow is sprayed by the wind before it touches the ground, 380 meters (more than 1000 feet) down from where it first fell. However, depending on the season, it can be completely dry.
The shaft was the deepest known in Britain, until Titan in Derbyshire was discovered in 1999. Gaping Gill still retains the records for the tallest unbroken waterfall in England and the largest underground chamber naturally open to the surface.
- Cachoeira da Fumacinha ( Brazil ) :
"Smoke Falls", once known as "Glass Falls", was discovered by a pilot in 1960 is in Bahia, Brazil. It was believed believed to be the country's highest waterfall. It is 353 m high. The waterfall is located in Chapada Diamantina, an attractive region for adventurers from all over the world given its hundreds of caves and waterfalls, and was named that way because the tiny water flow is sprayed by the wind before it touches the ground, 380 meters (more than 1000 feet) down from where it first fell. However, depending on the season, it can be completely dry.