The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is one of the most remarkable natural wonders in the world. Located in the state of Arizona, USA, it is one of the deepest gorges on Earth with an average depth of one mile (1.6km) and an average width of ten miles (16km).

The canyon was carved over the past 6 million years by the Colorado River as it made and continues to make its way through the canyon. For thousands of years, the area has been home to Native Americans who built their camps within the canyon and its many caves. The Pueblo people believe the Grand Canyon is a holy site and made religious pilgrimages to it.

Some Fun Facts

1) The Colorado River cuts through rock which is 1.75 billion years old. That’s almost half the age of the Earth (4.5 billion years). Geologists come to the Grand Canyon to study the history of the Earth. They have not found any dinosaur bones but they did find an 11,000 year – old bone of another animal in one of the canyon caves. Many fossils can be found in the rock layers.

2) The Grand Canyon pink rattlesnake is the most common snake in this area. It likes to lie in the sun and on the sandy paths looking for lizards to eat.

3) Many people agree that the Grand Canyon is one of the most amazing canyons in the world although it is not the deepest. The Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon in the Himalayas is the world’s longest and deepest canyon.

4) The Paiute Indians call the canyon Kaibab, which means “mountain lying down”.

5) John Wesley Powell sailed all of the Colorado River from 1891 -1892 and was one of the first people to call the area the “Grand Canyon.”