Is there anyone who doesn't know what the Grand Canyon looks like in the United States? This natural creation enchants with its scale and attracts hunters for extreme sports to commit another madness. Millions of tourists come to the limestone highlands to feel the spirit of this ancient place and take beautiful photos.
General information about the Grand Canyon in the USA
The Grand Canyon is one of the deepest in the world. It is located in the state of Arizona on the Colorado plateau, stretching over a distance of 446 kilometers. In fact, it is part of the national park of the same name. The canyon is washed away by the Colorado River, and in some places its width reaches 29 kilometers. Generally, the slopes widen as the height increases. The depth of the Grand Canyon is 1800 meters.
From the point of view of geology, the Grand Canyon is of considerable interest, so scientists are still studying it. Interestingly, the rocky terrain, like an open book, can tell about four geological eras of our planet. The rocks are so diverse that it takes a lot of time to classify them into groups. In addition, this is the place where there are a huge number of caves. From the point of view of archeology, the canyon is very interesting, because such an ancient plateau can conceal real treasures.
Due to the high altitude of the rocks, climatic zones change in accordance with the depth, while their boundaries are very blurred. However, you can see the difference in temperature and humidity, as well as get to know the inhabitants of the canyon, going down its steep slopes. The flora of the Grand Canyon in the United States is very diverse. Tall trees such as fir, yellow pine and spruce are found here. These forests are home to a unique species of squirrels. True, there are also large animals, for example, black-tailed deer. There are many bats and rodents in the forests.
The history of the formation of a natural masterpiece
Many people wonder how the Grand Canyon was formed, because to create such a natural masterpiece it takes not even thousands, but millions of years. The Colorado River is believed to have flowed across the plain since landfall, but the shifting of the plates triggered the rise of the plateau. From this, the angle of inclination of the riverbed changed, the speed of the current increased, and the rocks began to wash out faster.
The top layer consisted of limestone, which was washed out first. There were sandstones and shales deeper, but they could not resist the rapid current that washed the plateau for many millions of years. Thus, approximately five million years ago, the Grand Canyon took on the form that it can be seen today. However, soil erosion continues to this day, therefore, after a few million years, this natural landmark may significantly change.
Mastering the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon was inhabited by Indians long before Europeans arrived. This is evidenced by numerous rock paintings that appeared thousands of years ago. Despite the relief of this area, the indigenous people still live on the plateau. Here are the reservations of several Indian tribes.
The Grand Canyon was first encountered by Spanish soldiers in 1540. They traveled across the mainland hoping to find gold, which is why they decided to descend to the bottom of the canyon. True, they did not manage to cope with this task, since they were not prepared accordingly. After them, no one set a goal to go down. It was only in 1869 that a scientific expedition to the Grand Canyon in the United States took place, during which it was possible to describe its features. This credit goes to Professor John Weasley Powell.
Interesting and incredible about the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is a unique place, so many events of historical significance are associated with it. For its exclusivity, it was added to the UNESCO list in 1979, but there are more interesting facts related to the natural landmark.
In the past, many airliners flew over the Grand Canyon and circled over it so passengers could appreciate the beauty and scale of the plateau. The sight, of course, is impressive, but such actions were inherently dangerous due to the fact that the planes could collide while gliding over the rocks. This happened in 1956, as a result of which 128 people died. The country's government reacted instantly and banned visual flights of civil aircraft on airways.
Thirty years later, another plane crash happened over the Grand Canyon as a result of a collision of a sightseeing plane and a helicopter. Then 25 people were killed on both ships. It was not possible to find out the reasons for the collision.
We advise you to look at the Valley of Monuments.
In 2013, a risky action took place in the Grand Canyon that deservedly got into the Guinness Book of Records. The famous tightrope walker Nicholas Wallenda crossed the gap between the cliffs of the canyon without a safety harness. This event became the sixth in the list of his most extraordinary accomplishments and has earned worldwide recognition.
Many tourists are interested in how to get to the Grand Canyon in the United States, because it stretches for quite a long distance. Today, special tours are organized here; observation platforms are equipped on the rocks. It is difficult to name their exact address, but with the help of a map and pointers, you can quickly navigate the area. Rafting on the river and mule rides are more popular among visiting guests.
