South America: waterfalls (names and photos)

South America is the mainland of the greatest wonders of nature. Here there are such unique geographical objects as the most full-flowing river in the world - the Amazon and the lowland of the same name, occupying the largest area, the longest mountain range on land - the Andes, the highest waterfall of Angel ...

Natural attractions, thanks to which South America is largely known, are waterfalls. The wetest continent is rich in rivers. And the presence of mountain ranges and plateaus with steep rocky slopes creates many obstacles in their way, causing waterfalls. They represent a grand spectacle: streams of overthrown water, clouds of steam, wet rocks, a rainbow, a roar and the roar of a stream ...

The largest waterfalls of South America

The most famous waterfalls are Angel and Iguazu. If the first is the highest in the world, then the second one is among the most beautiful.

The unique waterfall of South America Angel on the Churun River in Venezuela has become famous since 1933 when the pilot James Angel noticed him flying over the jungle. Four years later he organized the first expedition to Ayan-Tepeui - a plateau with sheer walls, from which the waterfall breaks. The epic with the crashed plane and the eleven-day crossing through the jungle brought Angel world fame. And the waterfall was named after him in the Spanish transcription.

The highest waterfall in South America - Angel - is located in a hard-to-reach area, so its height could only be established in 1949. This was done by the expedition of the National Geographic Society of the United States. The total height is considered equal to 1054 m, and the highest continuous flight of water is 877 m.

Since 1994, the Canaima National Park and the Angel Falls in South America have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Now, the ubiquitous tourists have reached the impenetrable jungles of Venezuela. Here they organize excursions to Anhel on airplanes, helicopters and by water. Despite the difficulties of the route, the routes are very popular, because there are many who want to see one of the natural wonders. They are waiting for South America, waterfalls and unforgettable views.

Iguassu - great water

The Iguazu Falls in South America is actually a whole system of waterfalls. They are located on the river of the same name, running along the Brazilian plateau, on the border of Argentina and Brazil.

It's hard for me even to imagine all the greatness of Iguazu! Almost 300 separate streams are thrown from a height of about 80 m, and their width is more than 3 km! The roar of the waterfall is audible at a great distance, the fog clouds rise above it at any time of the day. And in clear weather here you can easily see a full rainbow, and the moonlight too.

The word "Iguazu" in the language of Guarani Indians means "big water". And this is true, because through the waterfall every second almost 5 thousand cubic meters of water flows. Iguazu is the largest waterfall in South America.

By the way, there are several places on the river of the same name, where the water jumps from the river bed. The largest waterfall is Nakundai Falls. Its height is almost 40 m.

Other waterfalls of Brazil

On the Parana River there was a unique waterfall in South America - Guayra (Seti-Kedas). It was the most powerful in the world - the water flow was three times more than that of Niagara! At a not so high altitude (34 m), it attracted many tourists, but was flooded during the construction of the most powerful hydroelectric power station in the world - Itaipu, and the rocks from which it overthrew exploded.

Now along with Iguazu, the Karakol waterfall is very popular. It is located close to the habitable places and is equipped for tourists. On the waterfall, breaking off from a height of 131 m, you can admire the tower with a viewing platform or climb to the top of the hill on a cable car. You can also go down to its foot on the metal staircase in almost a thousand steps, but there is no lift for lifting here.

San Rafael

In Ecuador, the most famous is the San Rafael waterfall on the river Kihos. It is a double cascade with a total height of 150 m. There is a waterfall in the Andes at the foot of the Reventador volcano among dense rainforests. Tourists are forced to admire them from a fairly long distance, from a specially constructed viewing platform. This is done for security reasons, since there have been cases of deaths of daredevils who tried to get close to the monumental water flow. Yes, and to grasp the whole waterfall is easier from the distance, and noise and roar can be heard at a distance of a dozen kilometers. The constantly hanging mist from the splashing water splashing on the rocks settles all around, making the path and slopes slippery and very dangerous.

The waterfall itself is in danger of disappearing. Twenty kilometers upstream on the Kihos River, construction of a hydroelectric dam has begun.

The wonders of nature that can be lost in South America are waterfalls that are destroyed as a result of human activities.

Waterfalls of Peru

Peruvian Gokta is often recognized as the third in the world in height (771 m) after Angel and Tugela in South Africa. But this claim is debatable. Opened the Stefan Cimendorf Falls in 2002. The amount of falling water varies depending on the season.

At the foot of the waterfall are rain forest with many rare animals. All of them are included in the nature reserve, the journey on which is allowed only if accompanied by an experienced guide.

Another Peruvian waterfall is Umbilla (Yumbilla). It is located in the Amazon basin. The National Geographic Institute of Peru reports that its height is 895.5 m. The source of the river is in the cave. Umbilla consists of four to five ledges. It is more difficult to establish precisely because of the inaccessibility of the district.

The waterfall is shallow, dry during the dry season. Located in the impenetrable forest of the eastern slope of the Andes, Umbilla can only be inspected with the help of a guide from the locals.

Tekendama in anticipation of tourists

In Colombia, on the Bogota River, there is the Tekendama waterfall (the "Open Door"). Located within an hour's accessibility from the country's capital, just 20 km downstream, it is very popular with tourists.

Local people believe that the Great Spirit once cut the rock to save people from the flood.

137-meter waterfall attracted so many people that next to him was built a castle for the then president of the country, then turned into a hotel. Eighteen of its numbers have never been empty, because it was very prestigious to relax next to a beautiful full-length waterfall.

Unfortunately, civilization has reached these places, which manifested itself in the pollution and shallowing of the river. As a result, the flow of tourists has dried up. And only in recent years the discharge of impurities into Bogota was banned and the river was cleaned. Local authorities hope to increase profits from tourism, because such an interesting object, besides being very close to the capital, worthy of attention, like other waterfalls in South America (see photo in the article).

In the meantime, Tekendama has a gloomy reputation in connection with the fact that she is often chosen by the desperate people as the place to settle accounts with life.

Waterfalls of Guyana

The waterfall Kayetur, considered one of the most beautiful natural objects in the world, is in the jungle of Guyana. The Mazaruni River brings down from the height of 226 m more than 650 cubic meters of water every second. It is simply amazing that such a powerful waterfall remained unknown to Europeans until 1870, when it was discovered by the English geologist Charles Brown.

The remoteness and inaccessibility of Kayetur became the reason for its low popularity among tourists. But the majestic views of the grandiose waterfall impress even in the photo. In 1929, the Kayetur National Park was organized here.

The second famous waterfall of Guyana is Orinduik, located on one of the tributaries of the Amazon - the river Ireng. This is a cascade of waterfalls with a total height of about 25 m. A picturesque multilevel stream of water 150 m wide flows among the red jasper rocks and piles of stones.

Tourists are attracted not only by the beauty of the landscapes of Orinduk, but also by the opportunity to swim in its warm waters. The waterfall is not so majestic and threatening as Kayetur, but much more hospitable. Falling from low ledges of the jet produce the effect of a relaxing massage, and the river itself can be easily waded.

The waterfall is visited by thousands of tourists, so runways for small passenger planes are built on both banks of the river.

Chilean waterfalls

Chile also has waterfalls, among which the most famous are Salto Grande ("Big Jump") and Petrogue. The first of them is in the Torres del Paine National Park and has a height of 15 m. Despite this, the waterfall looks impressive and is a favorite place for tourists.

Petrogüe is located within the Vicente Pérez Rozales National Park near the sleeping volcano Osorno. The volume of flowing water depends on the level of Lake Todos, from which the river begins. The average flow rate is 270 cubic meters per second.

The Salto de Lacha waterfall, 35 m high, is located in the province of Bio-Bio. It was considered a sacred place in the Mapuche Indians. Only the young man who was able to cross the waterfall was considered a man.

All three waterfalls are very popular with tourists, so their neighborhoods are characterized by a developed infrastructure.

High mountains, fire-breathing volcanoes, virgin forests, deep rivers, amazing flora and fauna - this is what South America is famous for tourists. Waterfalls take a worthy place in this list. But it must be remembered that even the most grandiose objects of nature need human protection.