The Grand Canyon National Park is home to the most spectacular canyon in the world which is the Grand Canyon. It is located in north-western Arizona. This canyon measures about 1 mile in depth, 277 miles in length and 18 miles in width. It was carved by geological activity and erosion by the Colorado River over some 6 million years ago.
This canyon is neither the world’s longest or deepest gorge. It was first protected in 1893 as a reserve and later as a national monument. It became a national park on February 26, 1919.
Quick Facts: –
- The powerful flow of the Colorado River is the reason why the Grand Canyon is getting bigger and changing its shape.
- The Grand Canyon National Park covers a total area of 4,926 square kilometers.
- There are more than 90 mammal species that call this national park their home.
- There are approximately 1,737 known species of vascular plants, 167 species of fungi, 64 species of moss.
- This national park was declared as a World Heritage Site in the year 1979.
- A total of six different types of rattlesnakes can be found here. One of them has a pink hue that helps them to camouflage among the sunlit rocks.
- The Skywalk is the most popular attraction in the park. You can walk out on a glass floored ledge with fantastic views of the canyon.
- To prevent large canopy fires, fire fighters start small fires strategically to help refresh forest ecosystems.
- This national park was honored with its own coin under the “America the Beautiful Quarters Program” in 2010.
- It is the second most visited park in the U.S. after the Great Smoky Mountains national park.
- Over 1000 caves are believed to be in the canyon but less than half so far are documented. Only one cave is open to the public.
- The canyon experiences different weather conditions and temperatures. It will vary vary by elevation. The higher in the canyon you go the cooler it gets.
- The park headquarters is located in the Grand Canyon Village.
- The canyon is home to 292 species of butterflies.
