Colorado Canyon is considered a miracle created by nature itself. No human power was applied to the origin of this work of art. For many years people have mastered this beautiful place, and now the Grand Canyon in the USA is very popular among tourists. What attracts people to this incredible beauty of the place? What is the origin of one of nature’s most amazing creations?
Overturned mountain range
Hans Kloos, a geologist from Germany, gave his definition to the canyon - he called it "an overturned mountain range." This name was given to Colorado because of the assumption that if you fill the entire canyon with gypsum or clay, let it dry, and then get it and turn it around, you get a real mountain range, similar to the Apennines.
The Grand Canyon (Grand, Grand Canyon) is 446 kilometers long and one and a half kilometers deep in Arizona.
Canyon description
Colorado Canyon has on its walls bizarre images that look like ancient temples, towers, ramparts and castles. Such drawings were inflicted by the Colorado River, fancifully washing soft rocks and honing them. This spectacle is truly unique and indescribable, surprising in its images. So, here you can see the Throne of Vatan, the Temple of Shiva and the Temple of Vishnu and many other natural images, to which man already gave the name.
The largest canyon in the world in its palette has many colors and overflows. Depending on the shadow of the clouds and the location of the sun, the canyon shimmers with all colors - from purplish-brown to black, from gray-blue to light pink. You can appreciate all the charm of the game of color only by being in close proximity to this miracle of nature.
Colorado Canyon is famous for its climatic conditions. At the top, the air rarely warms more than 15 degrees, and below is hot earth, and the air temperature reaches 40 degrees.
How was the Colorado Canyon formed?
It is hard to imagine that 10 million years ago, on the site of the canyon, there was a plain composed of soft rocks such as slate and limestone. A rupture of the earth's crust was formed under the influence of erosion, which caused the flow of the Colorado River. Great forces acted on the plain, and the river washed out meter by meter of rock, making its way, sinking deeper and deeper.
But today the construction of the canyon has not been stopped. Every day, the river carries washed rocks in its turbulent course. Going down to the very bottom of Colorado, you can see the layers that make up the lowest part of the canyon. These are the oldest crystalline rocks and granite, the age of which, according to some estimates, is more than two billion years!
Description of the Colorado River
The Grand Canyon owes its origin to the Colorado River, and this builder must not be overlooked when describing the canyon. Colorado is the greatest river, its length is 2334 kilometers, and it originates in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado (state). Its path is directed to the south-west, and from the reservoir Mead sharply turns to the south. Crossing the border of Mexico, the river finds its mouth and flows into the Gulf of California, in the Pacific Ocean. But not everything is as simple as it seems. Not always Colorado can meet with the ocean. Their last “kiss” took place in 1998, after a severe flood.
Translated from the Spanish language, "Colorado" means "Red", and this name justifies its color. The river, rushing at a speed of more than 20 kilometers per hour, in one day leaches more than half a million tons of rocks from the canyon. The turbid turbid stream as a result turns red.
Lava Fole, the threshold of the river, is considered the fastest shipping in the world, and its neighbor - Lava Rapids - the most dangerous site. Until 1948, there were only 100 daredevils who were able to cross the Colorado River by swimming along its entire length. Today, thousands of people spend their leisure time annually on a dangerous descent along a rough current.
How was the canyon mastered?
About four thousand years ago, Indians lived in the canyon area. Petroglyphs (man-made images on the rocks) found in the thirties of the last century are evidence of their residence here.
The Spaniards were the first of the Europeans to visit the Colorado Canyon. A trip to these picturesque places took place in 1540, and attracted them here the opportunity to enrich themselves, having obtained an incredible amount of gold sand. However, all their labors turned out to be in vain, and with empty hands the unfortunate gold miners left the canyon. There was an idea to conquer outlandish places, but the plans were not destined to come true, since the offended Spaniards could not overcome the canyon.
236 years after the first Europeans stayed in Colorado, the described place was visited by a French monk. His name was Francisco Thomas Garces, and the purpose of his arrival was to communicate with the local Indian tribes. The monk was amazed at the size and beauty of the place, and it was he who gave him the name - Grand Canyon, that is, the Grand Canyon.
In 1948, this object passed into the possession of the United States, and already in 1869 and 1871. Major John Powell made expeditions throughout the canyon, and made a full description of it.
In 1870, the Indian tribes living in these parts for many centuries were forcibly evicted.
Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States, visited these places in 1903 and urged all his citizens not to touch the beauty created by nature, to leave everything unchanged, and assigned the status of a national monument to the canyon and river.
In 1919, President Wilson supported Senator Harrison's project to create the Grand Canyon National Park. Since then, the name and status have remained unchanged.
The Colorado River Bridge, a 579-meter-long bridge, was laid in 2010. It is located at an altitude of more than 250 meters above the river, and not only car drivers, but pedestrians can also appreciate the sight that opens to the eyes.
National park
The Grand Canyon National Park in the USA has an area of 4930 square meters. It is conditionally divided into the Northern and Southern regions.
The bottom of the canyon resembles a Mexican landscape, cacti, yuccas and agaves grow here. Higher along the slopes, a completely different nature is already prevailing; oaks, willows, pines and junipers prevail there.
The fauna of the canyon is also diverse. In the park there are more than 60 species of mammals and about a hundred species of birds. Here you can find black-tailed deer, coyote, fox, lynx, puma, skunk, porcupine, rabbit, chipmunk, various goats and many other animals.
Tourism
The railway to the canyon was laid at the end of the 20th century, and now this place is very popular among tourists.
All daredevils are offered a tour that takes time from three days to three weeks. It is very dangerous, harsh and unpredictable, and all the adventures are prepared by the Colorado River itself. Many people visit the Grand Canyon for rafting along this waterway, there are many accidents, but this does not stop tourists.
Hiking or bus tours are also available. Everything is provided for visitors on the territory of the Grand Canyon: there are shops, cafes and hotels. So you can come to these places with the whole family, so that in a beautiful natural setting for a few days rest from the bustle of the city.
All tourists at the entrance are warned of possible fines. So, for a piece of paper thrown past the ballot box, you can give a thousand dollars!
