Niagara Falls: A Grand Creation of Nature

Everyone knows Niagara Falls. Who hasn't heard about the giant waterfall during geography lessons? Fifty meters down, thirty-three wide, with a flow speed of blah-blah-blah... But that was all a boring overview, and we're here to tell you about a different, interesting Niagara.

And why is it so cool?

1. 01. First, because there are many: Niagara is a group of three powerful waterfalls. It consists of the Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil falls.
2. 02. Second, because they connect the USA and Canada. The Rainbow Bridge spans the waterfalls, allowing for both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. And there are indeed many rainbows; you can see them even without bright sunshine.
3. 03. Third, the waterfalls have their own kind of reality show — you can watch them online through several webcams.
4. 04. But most importantly, Niagara Falls have their own character. They demand unconditional respect for personal boundaries. The waters are so turbulent and fast that to sweep a person away takes but a tenth of a second.

The name of the river and falls, Niagara, comes from the language of the Iroquois Native American tribes — one translation means "split land," another "thundering water." Legend has it that under the waterfall, the thunder god hides his beloved maiden, whom others wanted to marry off. And surely, the thunder god ensures that the flow is intimidating and eternal.

But did it really ever dry up?

It did, but not completely and not by itself. And as usual, people blinded by greed are to blame. Since the mid-18th century, American businessmen have been captivated by the idea of harnessing the energy of falling water. By the end of the 19th century, a hydroelectric power station was built on the falls, and the surrounding lands were sold into private ownership on both the Canadian and American sides.

Then the USA and Canada signed a joint agreement to preserve the natural relief of Niagara Falls. Construction was halted, and the status of land ownership was changed. But to demolish buildings, prevent landslides, and restore the former water flow over the threshold, one of them had to be temporarily drained. For several months, Niagara Falls operated at only a third of its capacity.

How to Get There and What to See?

The best panoramic view of the falls is from the Canadian side, but the most vivid experiences are from the American side. In Canada, you can only see the front side, while in the USA, tourist paths run right along the thresholds and cliffs near the falls. Niagara Falls is a 6-7 hour drive from New York City, located in the city of Niagara Falls (the adjacent city in Canada is also called the same).

Several types of tours are offered for tourists:

• In addition to the viewing platforms on the slopes, you can approach the waterfall by boat and see a dozen rainbows at once.
• The Journey Behind the Falls attraction offers to descend right under the waterfall into transparent tunnels on a special elevator.
• Nearby the thresholds, there is a museum of tropical butterflies and a park, and in the evenings, a light show takes place over the falls.

In fact, there are plenty of entertainment options near Niagara: from picnics with walks to exclusive tours with descendants of the Native Americans who once lived there.