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Grand Canyon National Park
One of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon is a breathtaking phenomenon, with a remarkable display of erosion and mother earth's natural beauty, stretching for 277 miles.
What You May Not Know About the Grand Canyon…
. The Grand Canyon is located entirely in Northern Arizona.
. It is up to 1 mile (1.6 km) deep, 4-18 miles (6-29 km) wide, and more than 200 mile (320km)long.
. The Grand Canyon covers an area of 1,904 square miles (4937 sq. km).
. Plateaus to the north and south rise 1,520 to 2,740 m (5,000 to 9,000 ft) above sea level, partly as a result of regional uplift, leaving the North Rim more than 305m (1,000 ft) higher than the South Rim in places.
. In terms of width, the canyon varies from 10 miles (16 km.) at the narrowest point to 18 miles (29 km.) at the widest.
. The Colorado river runs through the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
. There are no bridges over the Colorado River anywhere near the Grand Canyon.
. The shortest distance by road between the South Rim and the North Rim is 215 miles.
. The hike down one side of the Canyon and up the other takes two days.
. The temperature on the rim of the canyon is in the 90's in mid summer and increases on descent.
Where Is the Grand Canyon National Park?
A spectacular section of the canyon, together with plateau areas on either side of it, are preserved as the Grand Canyon National Park, which receives about four million visitors a year.
The Colorado River
The downward cutting of the Colorado River, which flows through the canyon’s lowest portions, has sculpted the Grand Canyon to the shape it is today.
What Does It Look Like?
The canyon’s entirety is extremely beautiful, containing towering buttes, mesas, and valleys within its main gorge. The Grand Canyon cuts steeply through an arid plateau region that lies above sea level. This region, although lacking year-round streams has over the years sharply eroded, showing such characteristic forms as buttes, it is interspersed with old lava flows, hills composed of volcanic debris, and intrusions of igneous rock.
About the Plateau
The plateau area has a general downward slope to the southwest and in its upper reaches is sparsely covered with evergreens such as juniper and pirion. Parts of the northern rim of the canyon are forested and vegetation in the depths of the valley consists mainly of desert plants such as agave and Spanish bayonet. In general the entire canyon area has little soil. The climate of the plateau region above the canyon is severe, with extremes of both heat and cold. The canyon floor also becomes extremely hot in summer, but seldom experiences frost in the wintertime.
The North Rim of the Canyon
One of the most scenic and certainly breathtaking views is found along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, about 80 miles south of the Utah town of Kanab. Hiking, photography, and ranger programs are available at the North Rim. Since only about 10% of the Grand Canyon's annual 4 million visitors come to the North Rim, this side is far less congested than its southern counterpart, with spectacular views from several easily accessible points, including Cape Royal (7,685 ft. elevation), Point Imperial (8,803 ft. elevation) and Bright Angel Point (8,255 ft. elevation).
Further Details
The Grand Canyon is located about 250 miles from Las Vegas. Take highway 93 south from Las Vegas to Interstate 40 east to highway 64. The trip takes about 4 and a half hours. Due to its popularity, booking many months in advance for lodging and tours is essential. Other lodging is available in the surrounding neighbouring towns of Tusayan, Williams, and Flagstaff. Admission to the Park (good for 7 days) is $10 for individuals on foot, bicycle or motorcycle (children 16 and younger are admitted free). Private vehicles with one or more persons are $20 for 7 days.
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