Grand Canyon
It's a place where mighty rivers are carved into the Earth, creating a veritable chasm that appears majestic and vast to all who see it. But don't be fooled by its beauty; the Grand Canyon is one of Earth's mightiest natural marvels, which, once you get to see it in person, is an experience you won't forget.
If you're interested in learning more about this gigantic landmark, read on for 19 amazing facts about the Grand Canyon!
1) The formation of the Grand Canyon can be dated back at least 1 million years ago!
2) Some fossils found at the bottom of the Canyon reveal that it was inhabited by ancient crocodiles some 130 million years ago.
3) The Grand Canyon is miles long and 300 feet deep and can be compared to the empire state building in height.
4) The Grand Canyon has been called the "CORNERSTONE OF THE AMERICAN GEOGRAPHIC NATIONAL PARKS SYSTEM" for a good reason.
5) The Canyon is a mere 17 miles away from the nearest town, Tusayan, Arizona.
6) It's estimated that over 10 million people visit Grand Canyon National Park each year!
7) These visitors come from all 50 U.S. states and over 100 countries visiting the Canyon.
8) The Canyon was first discovered by members of the Coronado expedition in 1540 but remained undiscovered until 1843, when John C. Frémont first visited it.
9) The Grand Canyon is nearly 1 mile wide at the top and 18 miles wide at the bottom!
10) Grand Canyon has some of the best views in the world, but one of the most impressive is from a helicopter. There are many ways to experience the Canyon, but the Grand Canyon helicopter tour is one of the best tour experiences.
11) The Colorado River and its tributaries have cut through rock layers from a time as early as 550 million years ago. The oldest exposed strata are around 200 million years old. Most of the park is the Kaibab Limestone, formed during the Paleogene and Neogene periods. The youngest stratum is the Toroweap Formation, which is only about 10,000 years old.
12) Grand Canyon National Park was established in 1919 under President Woodrow Wilson.
13) During World War II (1941-1945), Grand Canyon was closed to all public use to protect it from potential enemies.
14) The Canyon has had several names throughout history but was given its current name by a Spanish explorer who discovered it while on an expedition in 1776.
15) The Grand Canyon is 546 miles from the South Rim to the North Rim and is 18 miles across at its widest point. You can also look out for Stonehenge Tour if you want to visit an amazing destination.
16) The Grand Canyon is home to various plants and animals, including Black-tailed Deer, Mule Deer, Antelope, Whitetail Deer, Great Horned Owl, Bobcat, Coyote, Rattlesnake, and Gila Monster.
17) The Grand Canyon was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
18) One of the most famous places in the Grand Canyon is the Grand Canyon Railway, which offers a whopping 1 hour and 48-minute scenic train ride to the bottom of the Canyon.
19) North America's two largest telescopes—the U.S. Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station 6 Meter Telescope and the University of Arizona's Large Binocular Telescope—are located at Grand Canyon National Park.
Grand Canyon West is one of the most popular places to visit when touring Grand Canyon National Park. It's a different world located just a few miles west of the park and offers views like no other!
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