© Francisco Becerro / Creative Commons
Discover the splendor and the inexorable power of the most beautiful water falls in the world.
1 Victoria Falls (Zambia / Zimbabwe)
Breathtaking sight: the Zambezi river flows from a height of 108 m in a channel at a rate of up to 12,000 m3 per second. The mist rises from the crash leaving wide water clouds. If, in 1855, the explorer David Livingstone gave them the name of his queen, these falls are more evocative local name, Mosi-oa-Tunya ("smoke that thunders"). Whether you admired at sunrise or moonlight from above or below, the Devil's Pool ("Devil's Basin") or Cataract View, the key is to see the falls at least one time.
Although the rate is higher from April to June, the best time for a picture at sunset is from October to December is when the spray are moderated.
Although the rate is higher from April to June, the best time for a picture at sunset is from October to December is when the spray are moderated.
2 Niagara Falls (USA / Canada)
On the border between the United States and Canada , the famous waterfalls are actually composed of a set of three waterfalls on the Niagara River. They are particularly large and offer speeds of up to 2,800 m3 of water per second. After admiring these essential and stunning waterfalls, you can choose from several attractions. The best is probably the boat ride on the Maid of the Mist, 11 replica of the first steamboat that was on the crossings between the two shores of Niagara in 1846.
A ticket for the Maid of the Mist ( www.maidofthemist.com ) in service from April to October, costs 15.50 / USD $ 9 per adult / -13 years.
3 Plitvice Lakes (Croatia)
World Heritage since 1979, the National Park Plitvice Lakes extends halfway between Zagreb and Zadar. Its magical landscape of wooded hills and turquoise lakes connected by a series of waterfalls, discovered along boardwalks and trails that meander along the lakes and the heart of falls: a fascinating journey of 18 km! Every season has its charm: falls reach their highest rate in the spring, while the surrounding hills are adorned with a green coat in summer. In the fall, visitors, fewer can watch the show with flamboyant colors of the foliage.
In addition to the bears and wolves, celebrities uncontested, the park is also home to deer, wild boars, foxes and badgers. You can see hawks, owls, cuckoos, kingfishers, herons or wild ducks.
4 Iguazu Falls (Argentina / Brazil)
The Iguazu Falls (Iguazu Brazilians) are located on the border between Argentina and Brazil, in the Amazon rainforest. Their biggest jump only reached 82 m in height, but it is the combined power of 275 waterfalls stretching 2.7 kilometers along the Iguazú river is spectacular. And loud! Join the observation Garganta do Diablo position ("mouth of the devil") to admire the incessant bubbling water.
Side Brazil , Parque Nacional do Iguaçu ( www.cataratasdoiguacu.com.br ) is open from 9h to 17h later in the summer; in Argentina , Parque Nacional Iguazú ( www.iguazuargentina.com ) opens from 8am to 18pm.
5 Kaieteur Falls (Guyana)
Located in the jungle, these falls nearly five times higher than Niagara Falls, are arguably the world's most isolated. Hidden in the lush forest of Guyana, where visitors are rare, the Potaro river suddenly plunged some 230 meters from a sandstone plateau. Along the way you may see the Morphos (blue butterfly), roosters scarlet rock (birds) and dendobrates bellied spotted (frogs) and may hear the shrill cry baby howler monkeys. Then you will have to tread very carefully on the edge of the overhang to admire the water curtain, which seem to spring from the white-collared swifts.
The falls are accessible by charter flight from the capital of Guyana, Georgetown, and by land, with a hell of a few days (by minibus and boat and on foot).
6 Detian Falls (China)
Second largest border after falls of Niagara, the falls stretching over a width of 200 m, between the boundary of the Chinese province of Guangxi and northern Vietnam. It is however in China that is most of these falls. If they do not have the power of Niagara Falls, they offer a splendid panorama with rice fields and surrounding karst peaks.
The heart of summer is the best time to appreciate the power of waterfalls; Avoid winter, falls are more than mere trickles and fog is everywhere.
7 Sutherland Falls (New Zealand)
The "land of the long white cloud" ( New Zealand ), it often rains, especially on the west coast of the South Island. This is the reason why many of the archipelago cataracts are so impressive. Milford Sound, the most beautiful fjord, is famous for the waterfalls that rush along its flanks. The Sutherland Falls are only accessible after a 4-day trek (53.5 km) on the Milford Track. We cross the way of scenic beauty before joining a torrent that rushes from a height of 580 m from a lake nestled in the hills of the valley. Wonderful in the sunshine, the site is even more magical by the rain.
Hikers taking the Milford Track should book their accommodation in lodging along the route - see www.doc.govt.nz . From October to April, you have to walk from south to north.
8 Gullfoss (Iceland)
The Iceland ... This island is a dream of a geologist, with glaciers covering one tenth of the territory, its warm waters gushing from Geysir, mountains, geothermal springs and waterfalls. Gullfoss ("fall Gold "), and has two large waterfalls located successive zigzag, the latest falls in a narrow gorge. It owes its name to the rainbow sky that forms on top of it when the sun shines. The site is even more beautiful in the winter when the snow glistens and the frost covering the surrounding rocks.
Gullfoss is easily accessible from Reykjavík, as part of a Golden Circle tour by bus or with Reykjavik Excursions ( www.re.is ).
9 Rhine Falls (Swiss)
Although they do not scale to those of Niagara or Iguazu, but the Rhine Falls in Switzerland , are the highest in Europe. The spectacle of this liquid stream flowing from a height of 23 m is great. An imposing rock emerges in the midst of this infernal bubbling and strengthens the photogenic side of the site, which can be admired from the platforms. Specially equipped boats take tourists closer to the falls. The more daring can rent canoes. On the left bank stands the elegant castle Laufen, which houses an interactive exhibition devoted to falls.
The Rhine Falls are located in Neuhausen, downstream of Schaffhausen ( www.schaffhauserland.ch ), 50 km north of Zurich .
Rhine Falls, Switzerland. Benjamin Chaulet
10 Angel Falls (Venezuela)
The highest waterfall in the world, Angel Falls ("swan dive") breaks into a tributary of the Rio Caroni, in the Canaima National Park. Falling from 979 m (with a first jump of 807 meters), this gigantic waterfall rushes from the top flat of a tepui shrouded in mist, with a magic show. Á the dry season, the waterfall of such a height that it evaporates before reaching the bottom. Called Kerepakupai Merú ("Fall of the deepest place") by the Pemon Indians No, the Angel Falls was named after Jimmie Angel, an aviator who "discovered" in 1933.
Several tour operators Canaima, the next town, organize aircraft overflights (from $ 60) and outputs 2-3 days motor boat, usually from May to June to November.
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