ANGEL FALLS

'Angel Falls' (indigenous name: ''Parekupa-meru'') is the world's highest free-falling, freshwater waterfall at 979 m (3,212 ft), with an uninterrupted drop of 807 m (2,648 ft). It is located in the Canaima National Park, in the Gran Sabana region of Bolivar State, Venezuela at .
The base of the falls feeds into the Churun River, a tributary of the Carrao River. In the indigenous Pemon language Angel Falls is called ''Parekupa-meru'' meaning "waterfall of the deepest place". The falls are sometimes referred to as ''Churun-meru'', an error, since that name corresponds to another waterfall in the Canaima National Park. Churun in the Pemon language means "thunder".
Although sighted in the early 20th century by the explorer Ernesto Sanchez La Cruz, the waterfall was not known to the Western world until it was visited in 1935 by American aviator James "Jimmie" Crawford Angel on a flight while he was searching for a valuable ore bed. In 1936, Angel returned and landed his plane at the top of the waterfall. The falls are named "Angel Falls" after him.
For the native Pemon Indians, the mesa on which the falls are located is called "Auyan-tepui", or "Aiyan-tepui". which means "Devil's Mountain"
Angel's Flamingo monoplane settled down into the marshy ground atop Auyan-tepui and he and his three companions managed to descend the tepui and make their way back to civilization in 11 days. The plane remained there for 33 years before being lifted out by helicopter. It was restored at the Aviation Museum in Maracay and now sits outdoors on the green in front of the airport at Ciudad Bolivar exposed to the elements. It is the subject of some dispute between Ciudad Bolivar and the Venezuelan Air Force which would like to keep it in climate-controlled conditions at the Aviation Museum. The Air Force has offered Ciudad Bolivar a replica in return. So far they have refused. The one visible on the top of the tepui is a replica.

The official height of the falls was determined by a National Geographic Society survey in 1949^[2]. David Nott's book, ''Angels Four'', chronicles the first successful climb up the face of Auyan Tepui (Devil's Mountain) to the top of the falls. The falls are one of Venezuela's top tourist attractions. The height of the falls is so great that before getting anywhere near the ground the water is buffetted by the strong winds and turned into mist.
Angel Falls spills from a flat-topped plateau named, Auyantepui, into what is known as the Devil's Canyon 979 Meters below.
Angel Falls are located in the wilderness of Venezuela, and a trip to the falls is not a simple affair. A flight is required. Trips to the falls are sold in a package that includes a plane flight from Caracas or Ciudad Bolívar to Canaima (the jungle camp which acts as an entry point to the national park), and subsequent boat trips, meals and boarding. It is also possible to purchase a package that includes an aerial flyby of the falls. The falls cannot be seen on cloudy days, and there is no guarantee visitors will see them. During the dry season (December to March) there is less water than is seen in some photos, but it is also more likely that the top will not be clouded. The entire trip usually takes 24 hours.

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References

1. Angel Falls. (2006). In ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Retrieved 28 July 2006, from Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service: http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9007543
2. Worlds to Explore, , Ruth, Robertson, National Geographic, ,

External links

★ Article about Jimmie Angel and Ruth Robertson with photos

★ Pemon Myths and Legends about Angel Falls

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★ [http://www.salto-angel.com Angel falls all about it