Highest Waterfalls In The World

Mankind has always appreciated the enigma of waterfalls. The beauty and life that waterfalls educe inspires awe in humans across the world. The elegance with which water falls from the origin and the intricate pattern that it makes on its way makes waterfalls arguably the most photographed naturally occurring phenomena. And the fact that water is essential for survival and makes up 70% of a human body, only adds to the enigma that surrounds these reservoir of natural energy. Some waterfalls are permanent and flow throughout the year irrespective of the season, while some originate seasonally and dry out for the rest of the year. The total number of waterfalls in the world is unprecedented and may range from the playful little quiet ones to the ferocious ones, which dominate the interior forests of Amazon or Africa. Nothing absolutely nothing belittles the wonder that waterfalls creates in our mind. Take a look at five of the tallest waterfalls known to man.

Angel Falls, located in the Canaima National Park in Venezuela, is ranked the tallest waterfall in the world, with a total height of 3,212 feet or 979 metres and a clear drop measuring 2,648 feet or 807 meters. Although these falls were discovered in 1910 by Ernesto de Santa Cruz, they got their name from a 1937 story of a pilot named Jimmy Angel who saw the falls and subsequently nose-dived into them, but escaped unharmed with the passengers and the crew intact. Another name for Angel Falls is Kerepakupai merú which means "fall from the deepest place."

With a total drop of 3,110 feet or 948 meters, Tugela Falls is the world’s second highest waterfall. They are located in the Drakensberg (Dragon's Mountains) in the Royal Natal National Park in Republic of South Africa. The name Tugela means ‘sudden’ in Zulu and comes from the fact that these falls become suddenly visible from the main travel road into the park, after a heavy rainfall. They form, what can be called, arguably the best natural view around a waterfall. The water, above the falls, is pure and safe to drink before it touches the water body below and gets polluted with regular water body imperfections.

Tres Hermans, Cataratas las happens to be the third highest falls in the world with a total height of about 3,000 feet or 914 meters. These falls, alternatively known as The Three Sisters, are situated in Peru, South America. The falls have been so named because of the three separate tiers. Around 12 metres wide, the Tres Hermanas are surrounded with rich and diverse flora and fauna and end in a 4 metres deep lake.

 

The Hawaiian island of Molokai in USA houses the fourth highest waterfall of the world. The Olo’pena Falls are about 2,953 feet or 900 meters high and have formed on a rather short and seasonal stream, but they fall from the edge of one of the tallest sea-side cliffs located between Pelekunu and Wailau valleys. Olo'upena Falls are tiered and can be classified as a ribbon waterfall, because of the extremely thin appearance. The fall stands high above most other waterfalls in the United States, the closest one being the Pu'uka'oku Falls (2,756 feet/840 meters) and Waihilau Falls (2,600 feet/792 meters).

 

These gigantic falls in Peru, situated in Amazonas are considered the fifth highest falls in the world. Their drop is about 2,938 feet or 896 meters high. The fall is a tiered waterfall with four distinct stops. This means that the entire height of this waterfall is split over four distinct steps or stops. The area around these falls happens to be very rich in vegetation and wildlife, despite the waterfall being not nearly as wide as the others seen around the world.