Namibia
Fish River Canyon
.jpg?width=1200)
Welcome to Namibia! Fish River Canyon is Africa's largest canyon, a giant zigzagging gash in the desert carved by a river over a billion years.
Why is it famous?
It's the second-largest canyon in the world, right after the Grand Canyon in the United States.
The canyon stretches about 160 kilometers (100 miles) long and plunges as deep as 550 meters (1,800 feet).
How did it form?
The canyon's rock layers are over a billion years old, among the oldest exposed rocks anywhere on Earth.
Long ago, shifting pieces of the Earth's crust cracked open a valley, and the Fish River slowly carved it deeper over millions of years.
Amazing facts
It's the largest canyon in all of Africa.
In dry months, the Fish River shrinks down to a chain of quiet pools instead of a flowing river.
Quick facts
- It's the largest canyon in all of Africa.
- In dry months, the Fish River shrinks down to a chain of quiet pools instead of a flowing river.
- A famous 86-kilometer hiking trail winds along the canyon floor, taking hikers about five days to complete.
- Hot springs bubble up at Ai-Ais, where the canyon ends, warm enough for a relaxing soak.