There are many places in the world that leave an unforgettable experience after visiting. And some of the most amazing natural phenomena that have been created, day after day for a long time, are natural canyons. It is about them that will be discussed in our article.
Today we are going to get acquainted with the best representatives of these unusual natural phenomena, learn interesting facts about them, and, quite possibly, fall in love with their unusual landscape.
Canyons - wonders of nature
A canyon should be understood as natural formations that arise under the influence of natural forces. Most of the canyons are formed in places where rivers flow, that is, in river valleys, which are surrounded by a number of high rocks. Looking ahead, I note that the largest number of canyons are located in the modern United States, and the most impressive is the Arizona Grand Canyon. But this does not mean at all that other canyons that are scattered around the globe are not at all worthy of attention from tourists. Rather, the opposite is true.
Charyn canyon
The Charyn canyon, which is also called the local "miracle", is considered a unique natural monument of its kind. The age of sedimentary rocks that underlie the rocks of the canyon reaches 12 million years. Since outwardly the Kazakh Charyn is very similar to the American Grand Canyon, the locals jokingly call it that.
Without any exaggeration, such a miracle of Nature cannot be found anywhere else. The canyon is part of a national park, the area of which may be the envy of some European states. It is on the territory of the huge park that archaeologists still continue to find the remains of ancient representatives of the animal world, including the remains of the famous mastodons.
The easiest way to get to the Charyn Canyon is from the capital of Kazakhstan. The distance of 200 km is covered discreetly by comfortable buses or private cars. Easy accessibility and unique nature have made this place one of the most popular among tourists.
The size of the canyon is impressive. The approximate length is 150 km, and the depth in some places exceeds 300 meters! But the most important attraction of the canyon is its unique flora. Many plants (such as ash) even managed to survive the ice age!
All this and much more attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world like a magnet. And everyone should see the magnificent beauty of the canyon!
Waimea Canyon
The next point of our trip will be the Hawaiian Islands. As it turned out, they can boast not only unique beaches and round-the-clock parties, but also a real canyon called Waimea. Unlike many of its "colleagues", the canyon was not formed as a result of soil erosion. The history of its origin is inextricably linked with the volcano, which provoked the formation of a huge failure. Although the river of the same name also contributed to the formation of the crack.
The length of this "scar on the face of the Earth" is 16 km, and the depth of the sinkhole in some places is a record 900 meters. This canyon is also often compared to the Grand Canyon of Arizona. A natural park was founded around the canyon, which is considered one of the most popular hiking spots on the planet. Thousands of tourists come here every year to make multi-day or short-term excursions into the island's jungle.
The park is under protection, and when going inland, you should take care of a good map, provisions and stock of inventory for all occasions.
Colca Canyon
An equally grandiose natural phenomenon is the Colca Canyon, which is located in Peru. It is rightfully considered the deepest in the world. Its depth in some places reaches 3400 meters. The formation of the canyon was preceded by the long-term activity of two volcanoes at once - Ualka and Sabankaya. The latter is still active today.
If you consider yourself an avid fan of rafting, hiking and mountain biking, you should definitely find the time and opportunity to spend some time in the company of the magnificent Colca Canyon.
In addition to the dizzying heights, beautiful nature and unique wildlife, there is something else for all visitors to the canyon. Just imagine, right on the steep slopes there are entire villages with terraces for farming, which are still used today. Well, how can you ignore the king of modern birds of prey - the Andean condor. The wingspan of this giant bird sometimes reaches 3.3 meters!
Blyde River Canyon
Now let's go to the southern part of the African continent. It is on the territory of modern South Africa that another striking representative of the world of canyons is located - the Blyde River Canyon. It is part of the Drakensberg Mountains and is included in the list of natural objects that you should definitely see with your own eyes while traveling across the African continent.
In addition to its phenomenal size, the Blyde River Canyon boasts the densest vegetation, which has raised it to the first step in the ranking of the "greenest canyons in the world." Red sandstone, which in places appears through dense thickets, only reminds of the origin of the grandiose canyon. And at this time, somewhere below, the river of the same name flows, capturing the eyes of rare travelers to unprecedented distances.
The approximate length of the canyon is 26 km, and the depth in some places exceeds 1400 meters. And this despite the fact that some of the mountain peaks that frame the canyon along the entire perimeter are located at an altitude of more than 2 km above sea level!
Well, so that all visitors can boast of unique photographs upon returning home, full-fledged observation platforms are equipped along the entire length of the canyon in the most picturesque places.
Glen canyon
Arizona's Glen Canyon looks no less impressive. This is where Americans come from all over the country, highlighting how popular this place is. The red-orange sandstone that lies at the base of the canyon gives this grandiose place a special charm. There is everything here: rocky ledges, deep caves, and hills, some of which are hidden under water.
More than 4 thousand square kilometers were allocated for the recreation area alone. That is why every visitor to the canyon will be able to fill every minute of his vacation with active pursuits and other entertainments. To services of tourists and water skiing, and jet skis, and excellent fishing, the catch on which will delight even those who are far from fishing rods and spinning rods. Hiking and a variety of excursions are especially popular with holidaymakers. And for those who want to slowly appreciate the beauty of the canyon, a comfortable ferry is ready to offer its services, which makes daily boat trips.
Antelope Canyon
Another prominent representative of the "family" of canyons is Antelope Canyon, which is also located in Arizona. This canyon has the right to claim the title of the most unusual and colorful on the planet. Crevices of bizarre shapes, an unusual color scheme of rocky ledges, which somewhat resembles the skin of a noble antelope - all this made the canyon an inimitable and unique place, interesting for every tourist.
Getting into this grandiose place, one gets the impression that he has fallen into a kind of fairy tale, the author of which is Nature herself. Despite this, Antelope Canyon is not classified as a national park, although it will not be possible to visit it for free.It turns out that representatives of the Indian tribe, who own the rights to this land, will have to pay the fee.
Note that the light does not penetrate the canyon well, so you will have to apply all your photography skills to get really good shots. The best time to take photos is in the middle of the day.
Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is a fully fledged national park. This is one of the most perfect creations of nature, and there will be no words or time to tell about it. The first mention of the canyon as a tourist Mecca dates back to the years of the reign of T. Roosevelt, who was very fond of hunting in the local area and just relaxing.
The canyon is divided into northern and southern parts, each of which can easily impress tourists from all over the world. This place, without the slightest doubt, should be included in the obligatory excursion program for everyone who is lucky enough to be on the other side of the ocean.
