How much do you truly know about one of the most famous tourist destinations in the World? If you are planning on visiting Niagara Falls, you may wish to brush up on their facts before witnessing these stunning waterfalls. You could even impress another tourist or two with your wealth of knowledge! Here are Niagara Falls Top 10 facts:
Top 10 Niagara Falls Facts
1. Three Waterfalls
Some people think that Niagara Falls is just one giant waterfall, but actually, there are three in total. There are the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Canadian (Horseshoe) falls, from far left to right. The name ‘Niagara Falls’ is just a collective name for all three of the waterfalls together.
2. Horseshoe Is The Longest
The length of the Canadian, or Horseshoe, brink is 2,600 feet; that is 792.4 meters! Compared to the combined length of the other falls, 1060 feet, that is quite an impressive sized waterfall. The Horseshoe shape may make this waterfall seem smaller, but it is quite the opposite in fact.
3. Horseshoe Is Also The Tallest
Many people believe that the American and Bridal Veil waterfalls are the tallest, they certainly look it. In fact, their 176 feet height would technically make them the tallest compared to the Horseshoe’s 167 feet height. However, the American and Bridal Veil falls have a large number of rocks at the base, which means the waterfall itself is only 70 feet tall.
4. Niagara Falls Is Around 10,000 Years Old
15,000 years ago, southern Ontario was pure ice and not much else. As the last Ice Age began to change, around 12,000 years ago, new landscapes and rivers were formed from the glaciers. When this happened, Niagara River was created and, shortly after, Niagara Falls was born.
5. The Waterfalls’ Names
Each of the waterfalls was given their names due to specific traits, such as the American Fall being mostly over the border of the US. The Horseshoe is aptly named because of its horseshoe shape, whilst also being known as the Canadian Falls due to being mostly in Ontario. Lastly, Bridal Falls is named so because it resembles a bridal veil.
6. American and Canadian Side
Niagara Falls sits in the middle of New York, in the US, and Ontario in Canada. This means that people can visit from either (or both) countries. In New York, tourists can see the sights from the Prospect Point Park Observation Tower, and from Ontario, there is a range of large tourist areas which visitors can use to access Niagara Falls.
7. Tightrope Walking The Falls
There were a number of people who attempted to tightrope walk over Niagara Falls, with the first being in 1859. In 2012, Nik Wallenda became the most recent tightrope walker to make it over; although he had to receive permission from both the American and Canadian governments. He also had to present his passport upon crossing the border, despite being on a tightrope.
8. Hydroelectric Power
Niagara Falls was the largest hydropower facility in the Western World when the first hydroelectric project went live in 1961. It now produces a phenomenal amount of electricity for the US state of New York, around 2.4 gigawatts. There are several hydropower plants in and around Niagara Falls now, all producing electricity for America and Canada.
9. Goat Island
Nestled in between Horsehoe Falls and Bridal Veil Falls is Goat Island, which is another popular tourist hotspot. Cave of the Winds, the Three Sister Islands, a Nikola Tesla statue and dozens of walking paths are visited by tourists to Goat Island every year.
10. 13 Million Visitors a Year
It is estimated that around 13 million people visit Niagara Falls each year, with numbers rising all the time. Some come just to take a quick snap, whereas others stay to explore everything Niagara has to offer. One of the most popular attractions is the Maid of the Mist Boat cruise, which takes visitors right into the falls.
Experience these Niagara Falls Facts and More
Experience some of these facts, and create your own by taking your next Niagara Falls Vacation at the Award winning Marriott Niagara on the Falls Hotel.
Book your room today at: https://www.marriottonthefalls.com