Introduction
South America has the tallest waterfall on Earth and some of the most powerful. The continent's combination of high plateaus, deep gorges, and massive rivers creates ideal waterfall conditions.
The tepuis (flat-topped mountains) of Venezuela are particularly spectacular, with rivers plunging off sheer cliff edges into the jungle below.
1. Angel Falls (Salto Angel), Venezuela
- Height: 979 m (3,212 ft)
- Longest Drop: 807 m
- Tepui: Auyantepui
Angel Falls is the tallest waterfall on Earth. Water free-falls 807 meters before hitting the first ledge, making it the longest uninterrupted drop of any waterfall.
The indigenous Pemon name is "Kerepakupai Meru," meaning "waterfall of the deepest place."
2. Tres Hermanas Falls, Peru
- Height: 914 m (2,999 ft)
- Tiers: 3
- Location: Otishi National Park
Three Sisters Falls is the third tallest waterfall in the world. It drops in three stages through remote cloud forest that is extremely difficult to access.
3. Yumbilla Falls, Peru
- Height: 896 m (2,938 ft)
- Tiers: 4
- Location: Amazonas Region
Yumbilla was only measured accurately in 2007. A paved path now leads to the falls, though the surrounding cloud forest remains pristine.
4. Gocta Falls, Peru
- Height: 771 m (2,530 ft)
- Tiers: 2
- Discovery: 2005 (to wider world)
Gocta was virtually unknown outside its local community until German researcher Stefan Ziemendorff measured it in 2005. Locals had kept it secret, believing a mermaid lived at its base.
5. Cataratas las Tres Hermanas, Peru
- Height: 727 m (2,385 ft)
- Type: Cascade
- River: Cutivireni River
This second "Three Sisters" waterfall in Peru drops through dense jungle. Peru has more tall waterfalls per area than almost any other country.
6. Iguazu Falls, Argentina/Brazil
- Height: 82 m (269 ft)
- Width: 2,700 m
- Falls Count: 275
What Iguazu lacks in height it makes up for in width and power. The 275 individual cascades spread across 2.7 km make it the most visually overwhelming waterfall system on Earth.
7. Kaieteur Falls, Guyana
- Height: 226 m (741 ft)
- Width: 113 m
- Flow Rate: 663 m³/s
Kaieteur is the world's largest single-drop waterfall by volume. It combines impressive height with enormous flow, making it arguably the most powerful single-plunge waterfall.
8. Cuquenán Falls, Venezuela
- Height: 674 m (2,211 ft)
- Type: Free-fall
- Tepui: Kukenan Tepui
Cuquenán plunges off the edge of Kukenan Tepui, near Angel Falls. It is the second tallest waterfall in Venezuela and among the highest free-falling waterfalls anywhere.
Key Facts
- Angel Falls (979 m) is the tallest waterfall on any continent.
- Peru has at least four of the world's twenty tallest waterfalls.
- Kaieteur Falls is the most powerful single-drop waterfall on Earth.
- South America's tepuis create ideal conditions for extreme waterfall heights.
- Iguazu Falls has 275 individual cascades across 2.7 km.
Fun Facts
- Gocta Falls was "hidden" for centuries because locals believed a mermaid protected it.
- Angel Falls' water turns completely to mist during dry season before reaching the bottom.
- Jimmie Angel's plane sat atop Auyantepui for 33 years after his crash landing.
- Kaieteur Falls is five times taller and has twice the flow rate of Niagara Falls.
Final Thoughts
South America is the undisputed waterfall capital of the world. From the record-setting Angel Falls to the thundering Iguazu, the continent's cascades are unmatched in both height and power.
