Grand Canyon Facts

Stretching all the way from Arizona to Colorado of the United States is the awesome Grand Canyon. People from all across the globe are lured by this natural wonder and statistics reveal that over 4 million people visit the Grand Canyon every year. This is a place that leaves millions mesmerized for the next few days after the visit. If you ever happen to visit Arizona, you definitely need to check the Grand Canyon out! It's a treat nobody should miss! Let's look at some interesting Grand Canyon facts and information, to understand this natural wonder better.

Formation of the Grand Canyon
The genesis of the Grand Canyon goes all the way back to the erosive activity of the Colorado river and the action of forces like the continental drift and the Earth's orbit that conduced to the formation of the Grand Canyon. It so happens that the region where the Grand Canyon now stands was occupied by a series of mountain ranges. Over myriads of centuries, the mountain ranges were chipped off by water and wind erosion. Moreover, sudden climate changes in the area caused the oceans to flow over these plains and deposit rocky layers. The Colorado river also played a major role in the formation of the gorgeous uneven topography of the Grand Canyon, by contributing to the erosion process.

First Visitor to the Grand Canyon
The Spanish explorers are believed to be the first European visitors to the Grand Canyon in 1540. Captain Garcia Lopez de Cardenas along with some Hopi guides and a few Spanish soldiers traveled to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Three members from the party descended one third of the Canyon, however, the lack of water on the journey forced them to return. It took another 200 years for the next European to visit the Canyon. It was John Wesley Powell who consistently used and published the name, "Grand Canyon," in the 1870s. Even though these Spanish visitors were the first to visit the Canyon, let's not forget that the Canyon was inhabited by native American Indians some 4000 years ago.

Topographical Information
The Grand Canyon is contained in a Grand Canyon National Park that encompasses 1,218,375 acres on the Colorado Plateau in northwestern Arizona. This park was the first national park in the United States and houses the 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and 5000 feet deep Grand Canyon. A trip to the foot of the Grand canyon on camels or by foot would take about 2 days. The Canyon's walls are made up of valleys, hills, cliffs and rocks.

Grand Canyon Glass Bridge
The Grand Canyon houses the famous 'Sky Walk', which is a balcony like extension made from an awesome see-through surface, allowing people to experience the awesome view of the Grand Canyon at a height of 4,000 feet. It's an experience of a lifetime!

Animals in the Canyon
The Canyon is not just rocks, valleys and cliffs, but it's a place housing over 75 different species of mammals, 300 species of birds, 50 species of reptiles, 5 species of amphibians and 25 species of fish.

The Grand Canyon is a wonderful place to go for a vacation. Besides gazing at the picturesque landscape, there are scores of activities that one can do at the Canyon. Several activities like river rafting expeditions, camping, mule rides, hiking, kayaking, etc. are available to keep you entertained and enthralled all along. You can also take the 2 ½ hours trip on the historic Grand Canyon Railroad, which not only entertains you with all the musicians and Wild West shootouts, but also leave you 200 yards from the Grand Canyons edge. Hope these facts about the Grand Canyon have spearheaded a desire in you to visit this great wonder of the world.