Venezuela
Angel Falls
Welcome to Venezuela! Angel Falls is the tallest waterfall in the entire world. Water plunges from the top of a giant flat-topped mountain, falling so far that much of it turns to mist before it even reaches the ground.
Why is it special?
It is the tallest waterfall on Earth, with water falling almost a mile from top to bottom.
It pours off the edge of a tepui, a strange flat-topped mountain found only in this part of South America.
How does it live?
Rain and mist collect on top of the tepui called Auyán-tepui, then spill over its edge and fall a huge distance to the jungle below.
The waterfall changes with the seasons — during the rainy season it roars with water, but in the dry season it can slow to just a wispy trickle.
Amazing facts
The water falls about 3,212 feet, which is around 15 times taller than Niagara Falls.
The waterfall drops so far that much of the water turns into mist and blows away in the wind before hitting the ground.
Quick facts
- The water falls about 3,212 feet, which is around 15 times taller than Niagara Falls.
- The waterfall drops so far that much of the water turns into mist and blows away in the wind before hitting the ground.
- It is named after Jimmie Angel, a pilot who flew over it in 1933 and helped make it known to the world.
- The local Pemon people have a much older name for it, Kerepakupai Merú, meaning 'waterfall of the deepest place.'