What exactly does the term Grand Canyon mean? We know that grand is defined as an entity that is impressive and imposing in nature. Canyon is known as a deep, narrow valley that is surrounded by precipitous cliffs. The noun canyon is also used to signify a deep ravine that is cut into the earth’s surface over a long period of time due to erosion from a river.
By this definition, the Grand Canyon, a natural marvel that is located in the state of Arizona, is aptly named. The impressive landmark is generally regarded as one of the seven wonders of the natural world in the United States and abroad.
Grand Canyon is the nearly two billion years work of the Colorado river. The river and its tributaries slowly cut channels through the rock layers of the Colorado Plateau forming the canyon.
The Grand Canyon is a staggering 277 miles (446 kilometers) in length and stretches 18 miles (29 kilometers) in width. In terms of depth, the vast expanse is approximately 6000 feet (1800 meters) deep.
The Grand Canyon is geologically significant since it features a number of different rocks, some of which are believed to be more than 2 billion years old. Also, the rock that is located on the upper rim i.e. limestone is roughly 230 million years old as well.
The Grand Canyon was designated as a national park in 1919 and became the 17th national park that was established in the country.
Even though the Grand Canyon is the most famous canyon, it is not the deepest in the world. That honor belongs to Cotahuasi Canyon in Peru. The Kali Gandaki Gorge in Nepal is also deeper than the Grand Canyon.
Nonetheless, Arizona’s crown jewel is an extremely popular tourist destination and attracts more than 5 million visitors yearly. Besides sightseeing, the Grand Canyon is also a hiking and rafting destination.
About the Author: Amita Vadlamudi is a prolific writer of blogs and articles on varied subjects. Her resume, articles, and interests can be found on Kinza, Amitavadlamudi.org, and Vimeo sites respectively.
