The Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and rightfully so. It is beautiful and mesmerizing from every conceivable angle.
Millions of tourists visit the Grand Canyon every year for a wide variety of reasons. However, few are interested in finding out any information about the natural marvel.
The following are interesting facts about the Grand Canyon that you probably did not know:
No One Knows Its Age
It was considered a fact for a long time that the Colorado River carved the Grand Canyon into existence about six million years ago. The erosion over time led to the creation of one of the largest canyons in the world.
However, more recent research into the Grand Canyon has shown that it probably began over seventy million years ago. The truth is that no one knows the exact age of the Grand Canyon.
Though the main gorges that formed the Grand Canyon might have started seventy million years ago, the canyon took its current shape much later than that.
Fish are Rare in the Grand Canyon
There are plenty of activities to keep you busy in and around the Grand Canyon. It is one of the reasons why so many tourists flock to the Grand Canyon every year. Viator is an excellent source for the activities available in the Grand Canyon.
The Colorado River is unique in that it frequently experiences flooding, has lots of silt and has extreme temperature fluctuations. The conditions make it very difficult for fish to exist in the river. Only eight fish species are known to be indigenous to the river, with only two fish species being present outside the river.
However, more fish species have been introduced into the river with flood controls and other
measures.
The Grand Canyon is Not the Biggest Canyon
The name Grand Canyon gives the impression that it is the largest canyon in the world, and many travel bloggers wrongfully claim so. However, the term is misleading as there is a much bigger canyon in the world.
The largest canyon in the world is the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon in Tibet which is about two miles deeper than the American Grand Canyon and almost three times as deep. Quite a distance, I know.
The Grand Canyon is Bigger Than Rhode Island
The states of the United States of America are often large parcels of land. Therefore, it is a relatively unknown fact that the Grand Canyon is bigger than the entire state of Rhode Island.
The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long and 18 miles wide, about 1904 square miles. It just shows you the extent of the natural wonder and its size, which is something to behold.
The Grand Canyon Has Its Own Weather
The Grand Canyon is so massive that it has its own weather system. That’s right, if you are in the Grand Canyon, do not expect the weather to be the same as the weather in nearby areas.
The Grand Canyon has sudden elevation changes, which substantially affect the temperature and precipitation levels in the area. Therefore, the weather you experience in one part of the Grand Canyon could differ from the weather in other regions.
There are Many Hidden Caves
The Grand Canyon is made of massive rocks, and within them are an estimated one thousand caves. There are so many hidden caves in the Grand Canyon that are yet to be discovered.
There are currently only 335 documented caves, with only one cave being open to the public. The rest are still a mystery.
The Grand Canyon is a mysterious place; hence it attracts about six million visitors a year. There is so much we do not know about the massive area. The above are some of the lesser-known facts about the canyon. However, with more research will come more understanding.