The Beautiful Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls  ( Cayuga: Gahnawehtaˀ or Tgahnawęhta) is the collective name for three  waterfalls  that straddle the international border  between  canada  and the United states; more specifically, between the  province of  Ontario and the state of  New york. They form the southern end of the Niagara Gorge.

From largest to smallest, the three waterfalls are the “horseshoe Falls”, the “America Falls”  and the “Bridal Veil Falls”.

Ø The Horseshoe Falls lie on the Canadian side and,

Ø the American Falls on the American side, separated by “Goat Island”.

The smaller Bridal Veil Falls are also located on the American side, separated from the other waterfalls by “Luna Island”. In 1819, the international boundary line was originally drawn through Horseshoe Falls, but the boundary has long been in dispute due to natural erosion and construction.

Located on the Niagara River , which drains  “Lake Erie” into “lake Ontario”, the combined falls form the “ higest flow rate” of any  “waterfall in the world”, with a vertical drop of more than 165 feet (50 m). Horseshoe Falls is the most powerful waterfall in North America, as measured by vertical height and also by flow rate. The falls are located 17 miles (27 km) north-northwest of Buffalo,New York and 75 miles (121 km) south-southeast of Tornoto, between the Twin cities of  Niagara Falls, Ontario, and  Niagara Falls,New York 

Niagara Falls were formed when glaciers receded at the end of the Wisconsin glaciations   (the last ice age), and water from the newly formed Great Lakes  carved a path through the Niagara Escarpment  en route to the Atlantic Ocean. While not exceptionally high, the Niagara Falls are very wide. More than six million cubic feet (168,000 m3)  of water falls over the crest line every minute in high flow, and almost four million cubic feet (110,000 m3) on average.

The Niagara Falls are renowned both for their beauty and as a valuable source of hydroelectric power.  Managing the balance between recreational, commercial, and industrial uses has been a challenge for the stewards of the falls since the 19th century.

Amazing  things of Niagara falls :

Ø The Niagara Falls are located on the border of Ontario, Canada and New York, USA.

Ø The Niagara Falls are made up of 3 waterfalls, the American Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls and the Horseshoe Falls.

Ø The Horseshoe Falls are the largest and the Bridal Veil Falls the smallest.

Ø The 3 waterfalls combine to produce the highest flow rate of any waterfall on earth.

Ø The largest vertical drop is over 165 feet (50 metres).

Ø The Niagara Falls were created by glacier activity around 10000 years ago.

Ø The Niagara Falls are a source of hydropower, producing large amounts of electricity.

Ø Hydroelectric stations in the area divert less water during the summer when tourist numbers are high, ensuring a spectacular flow of water for visitors.

Ø The Niagara River drains water from Lake Erie into Lake Ontario.

Ø At the current rate of erosion, scientists believe that the Niagara Falls will be gone in around 50000 years, luckily you still have time to see them!

Ø It is illegal (and not very smart) to go over the Niagara Falls.

Ø A number of people have tried it anyway, some survived, some were injured and some were killed.

Ø The first tightrope walker to cross the Niagara Falls did so in 1859.

Ø In 2012 Nik Wallenda became the first person to cross the Niagara Falls by tightrope in 116 years. He did so after receiving permission from both the Canadian and United States governments, although he was required to carry his passport and present it on entry to the Canadian side of the falls.

Ø The Niagara Falls have long been a popular tourist destination, boosted by a number of movies featuring the falls and even a daring performance by famous Illusionist David Copperfield in 1990.

Ø Goat Island sits in the middle of the Niagara Falls, between Horseshoe Falls and Bridal Veil Falls.

Ø A monument dedicated to Serbian-American inventor Nikola Tesla sits on Goat Island.

Ø The Niagara Falls are visited by around 30 million people every year.

Ø The Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the United States (1885).