Angel Falls - Definition and Overview

Angel Falls or Salto Angel is the world's highest free-falling waterfall at 978 metres (3,212 feet) with an uninterrupted drop of 807 metres (2,647 feet). It is located on an unnamed tributary of the Rio Caroni, in the Canaima National Park, Venezuela.

Although first sighted in the early 20th century by the explorer Ernesto de Santa Cruz, the waterfall was not known to the world until its official discovery by the American aviator, James Crawford Angel, on a flight whilst searching for gold. Angel was born in Springfield, Missouri in 1899.

The official height was determined by a National Geographic Society survey in 1949 (see Jungle Journey to the World's Highest Waterfall by Ruth Robertson). David Mott's book, Angels Four, chronicles the first successful climb up the face of Ayan Tepui (Devil's Mountain) to the top of the falls. The falls are one of Venezuela's top tourist attractions.

External link

• Article about Jimmie Angel and Ruth Robertson with photos (http://www.venezuelavoyage.com/angel.htm)
• Angel, Salto (http://www.world-waterfalls.com/waterfall.php?num=1/) at the World Waterfall Database