The World's Tallest Waterfall Drops Nearly a Kilometer Into Venezuela's Jungle
Deep in the heart of Venezuela's remote wilderness stands Angel Falls, a natural wonder that towers above all other waterfalls on Earth.
This magnificent cascade plunges 979 meters from the top of Auyán-tepui, one of South America's ancient table mountains.
To put this incredible height into perspective, Angel Falls is more than 15 times taller than Niagara Falls and nearly three times higher than the Empire State Building.
Angel Falls sits within Canaima National Park in Venezuela's BolÃvar state. The waterfall flows from the Churún River as it spills over the edge of Auyán-tepui, which means "Devil's Mountain" in the local Pemón language.
These tepuis are some of the oldest rock formations on our planet, dating back over two billion years.
The unique geology creates perfect conditions for such dramatic waterfalls, as rivers cut through softer rock layers before reaching the hard, resistant edges of these massive plateaus.
Despite its heavenly name, Angel Falls wasn't named after celestial beings. The waterfall honors Jimmy Angel, an American aviator who first brought international attention to the falls in 1933.
Angel was searching for gold when he spotted the waterfall from his airplane. Four years later, he attempted to land on top of the tepui but crashed his plane, though he and his crew survived.
The Indigenous Pemón people had known about the falls for centuries, calling it Kerepakupai Merú, which means "waterfall of the deepest place."
Reaching Angel Falls requires dedication and planning. No roads lead directly to the waterfall, so visitors must travel by small aircraft to Canaima camp, then take a river journey by dugout canoe.
The trip typically involves navigating rapids and hiking through dense jungle terrain. The best time to visit is during the rainy season from May to November, when the waterfall flows at its fullest power.
During dry months, the water volume decreases significantly, sometimes reducing the falls to a thin stream.
The area surrounding Angel Falls hosts incredible biodiversity. The tepui environment supports many endemic species that exist nowhere else on Earth.
Visitors might encounter colorful parrots, toucans, and hummingbirds, along with unique plants that have adapted to the mountain's isolated conditions. The jungle below teems with jaguars, giant otters, and hundreds of butterfly species.
Experiencing Angel Falls firsthand creates lasting memories that photographs cannot fully capture. The thunderous roar of falling water echoes through the jungle, while mist creates rainbow effects in the sunlight.
Many visitors describe feeling humbled by the sheer scale and power of this natural monument, understanding why it has inspired legends among Indigenous peoples for generations.
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