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Angel Falls is the world's highest free-leaping waterfall at 979 metres (3,212 feet) with an uninterrupted drop of 807 metres (2,648 feet). It is located on the Auyan Tepui river. The river that culminates in the drop is the Kerepakupay, in the Canaima National Park,
Venezuela at 5°58'03?N, 62°32'08?W.
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Although first sighted in the early 20th century by the explorer Ernesto Sanchez La Cruz, the waterfall was not known to the world until its official discovery in 1933 by the American aviator, James aCrawford Angel, on a flight while searching a valuable ore bed. In 1936, he returned and landed his plane at the top of the waterfall. The falls are currently named "Angel Falls" after him; interestingly enough, the native name for the falls was "Devil's Mouth". However the Angel Falls were already known to local Indians, the Pemones, and called it the Churún Merú and Auyantepui.
Angel Falls is located in the wilderness of Venezuela and it is not easily accessable. An air flight is required. Sometimes navigation upstream the Carrao and the Churun river and then an adventurous walk through the jungles takes you to the beautiful falls.
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Angel Falls plunges off a large table mountain (flat top, tall sheer sides). It is just one of many tabletop mountains with striking water falls in the Gran Sabana region. The fringes of this area is filled with grasslands, but one finds dense jungle into the depths of Gran Sabana. This part of the world is remarkable for its numerous tepuy, which are flat-topped mountains with flat walls. During the rainy season, Angel Falls can divide into two or more falls, each with its own distinct plume.
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There is an incredible variety of tropical wildlife in the region, including monkeys and poisonous arrow frogs.
The trip to Angel Falls holds various attractions. The boat rides and walks through the jungle offer a unique sight of Venezuelan flora, fauna, and terrain. If the water flow is mild enough, one can also swim in the small plunge pool below the falls.
Allwondersoftheworld.com describes the Great Angel Falls that fascinates the visitors with its grand height.
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