New Delhi: The Kaieteur Falls is widely considered to be the largest single-drop waterfall in the world. It is located in Guyana’s Kaieteur National Park on the Potaro River and the height of the fall is 741 ft from the point it plunges to the first break. After that, the water flows over several steep cascades and the total height is 822 ft. There are many falls with a greater height or greater flow but none have the height and water volume combination like the Kaieteur Falls has. Notably, four and a half times the height of Niagara Falls, and twice the height of Victoria Falls, both famous all over the world.
Kaieteur Falls: The waterfall which outshines Niagara Falls and Victoria Falls
Kaieteur Falls is one the most powerful waterfalls and is yet to get its due recognition. While the indigenous people of the area already knew about the waterfall for a long time, the Europeans first noticed it in 1870 when Charles Barrington Brown, a British geologist who went there as a government surveyor to the British Guiana colony led a party that discovered the waterfall. While Brown did not closely investigate the Kaieteur Falls at that time, he made comprehensive measurements when he returned a year later.
As per the legends of the Indigenous Patamona people, Kaieteur Falls derived its name from a chief named Kai who sacrificed himself to save his people by taking his boat over the raging waterfall to appease Macunaíma, the great spirit. According to another folklore which was told to Brown on the day of its discovery, the Kaieteur got its name after an unpleasant old man whom his relatives placed in a boat and shoved in the fall. As per this legend, the word “Kaieteur” means “old man falls.”
How can you reach Kaieteur Falls?
The Kaieteur Falls are located in a remote area and is surrounded by the lush rainforest. However, it can be accessed by plane and then a hike to the top. There is the Kaieteur Airstrip, just a 15-minute walk from the falls, where plan can land directly from two airports in Georgetown: Cheddi Jagan International Airport and Eugene F. Correia International Airport.
The best time to visit the Kaieteur Falls is in the summer monsoon season from April to September. Apart from enjoying the waterfall, tourists can see plenty of colorful birds, frogs, and plant life unique to the place. Also, the waterfall has featured in several documentaries.
Kaieteur Falls in Guyana is renowned as the world’s largest single-drop waterfall, plunging 741 feet from a sandstone cliff. Taller than both Niagara and Victoria Falls, its immense height and volume are unparalleled. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
