Interesting facts about waterfalls

Waterfalls are grouped into ten broad classes based on the average volume of water present on the fall using a logarithmic scale.

Types of waterfalls: block, cascade, cataract, fan, horsetail, plunge, punchbowl, segmented, tiered,multi-step.

Cascata delle Marmore in Italy is the tallest man-made waterfall in the world.

The tallest waterfall in the world is the Angel Falls.Angel Falls drops 3,212 feet (979 meters) from Auyán-Tepuí (Devil Mountain) in Venezuela. The waterfall was named for Jimmy Angel, an American flyer who discovered it in 1935 and crash-landed nearby in 1937.

Widest waterfall – Khone Falls stretch 6.7 miles (10.8 kilometers) across the Mekong River, stopping river traffic at the Laos-Cambodia border.

The highest waterfall in Africa is the Tugela Falls at 947 metres. It is found in South Africa.

Europe’s highest waterfall, Utigard in Norway, is 800 metres high.

Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world and is more than a mile long.

Tugela Falls is the world’s second tallest at 947 m (3110 ft) in KwaZulu-Natal province, Republic of South Africa.

10 Biggest, Largest Waterfalls In The World 

These are the 10 biggest falls on the planet, based on their width, rather than height or volume. Each one is wonderful in its own way.

10. Inga Falls

Inga Falls, a 3,000-foot wide waterfall, is located on the Congo River, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It’s a series of falls and rapids, which drops around 315 feet, but very gradually over a run of roughly 9 miles. However, the main, and most impressive, part of the falls drops around 70 feet in one go. 

9. Niagara Falls

Despite being relatively low on the list of the world’s largest falls, Niagara Falls is undoubtedly the best known waterfall on the planet. It receives somewhere between 14 and 20 million visitors annually and has been the location for many foolhardy and daring feats, such as that performed by Annie Edson Taylor, who was the first person to survive a trip over the Niagara Falls in a barrel.

At 3,950 feet wide, it’s far from the largest waterfall around, but it is the falls with the largest volume of water traveling through it. It has three separate parts: American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Horseshoe, or Canadian, Falls.

8. Chutes Wagenia

Chutes Wagenia is more commonly known as Kisangani Falls or Stanley Falls, the former of which is accurate, but less often used, and the latter of which stems from British colonial times, and is inaccurate but has been proliferated. It stretches 4,500 feet, across the whole of the width of the Lualaba River, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Despite its width, it’s not an extremely visually impressive waterfall, only dropping 30 feet in total, with the highest single fall dropping just 15 feet.

7. Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is a 5,600-foot wide waterfall located on Zambezi River in Zimbabwe. The river falls roughly 344 feet into a gorge made up of lateral volcanic dikes, which were formed as the river eroded the rock and soil of its bed.
As the water falls into the gorge, mist and spray rises up, more than 100 feet higher than the top of the falls, giving the appearance that smoke is rising out of a deep hole in the earth. This is where it gets its traditional name, Mosi-oa-Tunya, which translates to “the smoke that thunders." The river is divided into four segments by two islands, resulting in four distinct falls, each of which has its own name: Devils Cataract, Main Falls, Rainbow Falls and Eastern Cataract.

6. Vermilion Falls

Although Vermilion Falls does not drop from an impressive height, falling only 15 to 20 feet, it is the sixth biggest waterfall in the world, in terms of width, as it spans 6,000 feet across. It’s located along Peace River, in Northern Alberta, Canada, which is an otherwise still and, as the name suggests, peaceful river. It’s likely that the rural nature of its location has stopped it from becoming too well known or much of a tourist attraction. However, if you can make it out there, it’s an impressive sight to behold.

5. Saltos del Mocono

Saltos del Mocono is part of the River Uruguay in Argentina. It’s amongst the most unique of all large-river waterfalls, as it drops down a 6,000-foot trough that has been carved lengthways into a basaltic formation. This makes it almost a full 180 degree semi-circle of waterfall. This 6,775-foot wide waterfall drops down roughly 35 feet. Although the majority of the waterfall is in Argentina, some actually lies in Brazil, which is where most of the best viewpoint for the falls are.

4. Cataratas del Iguazo

South America’s Cataratas del Iguazo is also known as Iguazo Falls. Part of the Rio Iguazo, the falls straddle the border between Argentina and Brazil. This 8,800-foot wide waterfall drops rough 269 feet. Most of the river fall down into an area known as Garganta del Diablo, or The Devil’s Throat, but the rest spreads out over a wide, flat shelf, splitting into hundreds of individual falls. .

3. Chutes Kongou

Also known as Kongou Falls, Chutes Kongou measures 10,500 feet wide, making it the world’s third largest existing waterfall. It’s part of the Ivindo River in Gabon, and is roughly 185 feet tall. Amongst the most powerful waterfalls in the world, roughly 31,800 cubic feet of water flow down it each second. These falls are truly a sight to behold, nestled amongst dense, equatorial rainforests. Kongou Falls is located within the Ivindo National Park, which was set up to protect the biodiversity of the Ivindo River.

2. Salto Para

Salto Para, or Para Falls, is an 18,400-foot wide waterfall on the Rio Caura in the Bolivar region of Venezuela. These half-moon shaped falls are formed where two parts of the river come together and drop down almost 200 feet, each side of a lush, green jungle island.

1. Chutes de Khone

Chutes de Khone – also known at Khone Falls – is the largest waterfall in the world. At 35,376 feet wide, it’s almost twice the width of it next largest competitor. The falls are part of the Mekong river in Laos, and occur where the river splits into seven large channels and many more smaller ones. It’s made up of several different rapids and falls, cascading down 69 feet. The most defined part of the waterfall is a 45-foot drop, at a 60 degree angle.

Top 5 Highest Waterfalls in India

1. Kunchikal Falls

Height - 455 metres, (1,493 ft)

Kunchikal Falls is the highest waterfalls in India and are located near Mastikatte-Hulikal in Shimoga district of state of Karnataka. Kunchikal falls are formed by Varahi River and are situated at a height of 455 metres (1,493 ft) from MSL. Varahi River cascades down hundreds of rocks near Hulikal (Ghati Temple), Hosanagara Taluk, Shimoga District. After construction of Mani Dam near Mastikatte and underground power generation station, near Hulikal, Shimoga district, the water flow to this falls is greatly reduced and visible only during rainy season (July-Sept).  

2. Barehipani Falls 

 Height - 399 metres, (1,309 ft)

 The Barehipani Falls is located in the core area of Simlipal National Park in Mayurbhanj district in the Indian state of Orissa. It is amongst the higher waterfalls in India and is situated at a height of 399 metres (1,309 ft). It is tiered waterfall with two drops. The tallest single drop is 259 metres. The waterfall is situated on the Budhabalanga River flowing over the Meghasan Mountain. The nearest railway station is at Baripada. The Joranda Falls is located nearby.

 3. Langshiang Falls

Height - 337 metres, (1,106 ft) 

 The Langshiang Falls is located near the village of Sangriang, 24 kilometres (15 mi) from Nongstoin, in West Khasi Hills district in the Indian state of Meghalaya. It can also be seen from Mawpon village. The total height of the falls is generally quoted at around 337 metres (1,106 ft). However, that needs to be confirmed. Considering the height to be correct, it is the 3rd highest waterfalls in India. Nongkhnum Island, the biggest river island in Meghalaya is 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from Langshiang Falls.

4. Nohkalikai Falls
 Height - 335 metres (1,099 ft)

Nohkalikai Falls is the tallest waterfall in India. Its height is 1100 feet (335 metres). The waterfall is located near Cherrapunji, one of the wettest places on Earth. Nohkalikai Falls are fed by the rainwater collected on the summit of comparatively small plateau and decrease in power during the dry season in December - February. Below the falls there has formed a plunge pool with unusual green colored water.
In Khasi language, the name of the falls means "Jump of Ka Likai" which is linked to a legend about local women Likai who after family tragedy became insane and jumped off the cliff next to the falls.

5. Nohsngithiang Falls

 Height - 315 metres (1,033 ft)

 The Nohsngithiang Falls is also known as the Seven Sisters Waterfalls and the Mawsmai Falls. It is located 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) south of Mawsmai village in East Khasi Hills district in the Indian state of Meghalaya. This is the fifth highest waterfalls in India. It is a seven-segmented waterfall, which plunges over the top of limestone cliffs of the Khasi Hills. The falls only flow during the rainy season. In full spate, the segments stretch most of the way along the cliff. The water falls from a height of 315 metres (1,033 ft) and has an average width of 70 metres (230 ft). The waterfalls get illuminated by the sun from dawn to sunset. The vibrant colours of the setting sun on the waterfalls make it beautiful to behold. 

 

10 Interesting Facts About Victoria Falls

If you have never been on Safari in Africa, here is your chance to start the Safari virtually. I will not only take you to one of the most breathtaking water falls in the world, but also showcase to you its natural wonders and ecosystem.

The Victoria Falls are formed by the rapids of River Zambezi that is mostly in Zimbabwe but a part of which meanders through Zambia. The Victoria Water Falls straddles both countries. Amazingly, the water falls are not the only thing that the two countries share. They also share a host of national parks. Below are a couple of facts about the water fall to get you started.

1. The spray from the falls make the River Zambezi Rain forest the only place that receives rainfall 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

2. What is a Moonbow? Any ideas? Well, it is the rainbow formed by the reflection of moonlight on the water. At night, you will see the light from the moon forming a beautiful rainbow on the waters of the Victoria Waterfalls.

3. During the months of September to December, tourists enjoy 'toying with danger' on the edge of the waterfalls at the naturally formed Devil's Swimming Pool.

4. River Zambezi, the river that forms the Victoria Water Falls is the fourth largest African River after River Nile, River Congo and River Niger.

5 Although the most famous stretches of River Zambezi are in Zambia and Zimbabwe, the river traverses a whopping six countries that include; Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

6. The Victoria Waterfalls seems to dissect the River Zambezi almost by two. It sits halfway the 1677 miles from the source to the sea.

7. After all the factors are put into place; the Victoria Waterfalls are the largest in the world. They measure 5577 feet wide and varies in height from 262- 304 feet.

8. The first European to see the waterfalls was David Livingstone. In order to see the majestic waterfalls, he stood on a small outcrop christened the Livingstone Island that is on the edge of the waterfalls.

9. It is estimated that roughly 600 million cubic liters of water hit the ground every minute on the Victoria Waterfalls.

10.The highlight of your tour here, without a doubt will be swimming in the Devil's Swimming Pool. However, the flora and fauna here will also make your days merrier. Imagine seeing the Africa's Big Five within a 10 kilometers radius.