The world’s 10 wildest waterfalls
Longest. Widest. Deepest. We’ve rounded up the planet’s most superlative waterfalls. How many have you visited?
Angel Falls, Venezuela (Shutterstock)
1. Tallest: Angel Falls, Venezuela
At 3,212 feet, Angel Falls is the world’s tallest and, located in the midst of the Venezuela’s wild Gran Sabana region, it is arguably also the most remote.
Iguazu Falls, Argentina (Shutterstock)
2. Widest: Iguazu Falls, Argentina
Not one waterfall, but 275, all holding hands to make a total width of 1.67 miles.
Sivasamudram Falls, India (Shutterstock)
3. Most Powerful: Sivasamudram Falls, India
33,000 cubic feet plunge over the lip of these falls every second, making them the Arnold Schwarzenegger of waterfalls.
Tugela Falls, South Africa (Shutterstock)
4. Africa’s deepest: Tugela Falls, South Africa
3,110 feet deep and counting.
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (Shutterstock)
5. Biggest: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
The widest single waterfall in the world … and the engine of Zimbabwe’s tourist industry.
Gullfoss, Iceland (Shutterstock)
6. Prettiest: GullFoss, Iceland
Voted the prettiest sightseeing waterfall in the world by visitors to Tripadvisor, and come winter or summer, it’s hard to argue with the result.
Yosemite Falls, USA (Shutterstock)
7. America’s highest: Yosemite Falls, USA
At 2,425 ft, Yosemite Falls is America’s highest. And arguably it’s the most dramatically situated as well.
Nachi Falls, Japan (Shutterstock)
8. Japan’s largest: Nachi Falls, Japan
48 separate waterfalls, standing at more than 400 feet tall and considered a divine entity to boot.
Upside Down Falls, Oahu, Hawaii (Shutterstock)
9. Freakiest: Upside Down Falls, Oahu, Hawaii
Starting at the summit of Mount Konahuanui, the water of the Upside Down Falls doesn’t fall for more than a few feet before prevailing trade winds blows it back upwards.
Niagara Falls, USA/Canada (Shutterstock)
10. Most self-sufficient: Niagara Falls, USA/Canada
Every minute, 35 million gallons of water rush over the edge of the falls, half of which is diverted towards the power plants that make Niagara Falls the largest source of hydroelectric power on the globe.
Do you have a favourite waterfall from your travels? Tell us about it in the comments below.
Main image: Svartifoss, Iceland (Shutterstock)
