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14 of the World's Most Dramatic Waterfalls

Argentina Australia Canada Chile China Guyana Iceland Laos Venezuela Zambia Zimbabwe Niagara Falls National Parks Galleries
by Hal Amen Jan 6, 2015

Waterfalls are formed wherever water meets a vertical drop. When you see a waterfall you’re actually witnessing powerful change in effect.

Due to constant erosion, waterfalls slowly “eat” their way upstream.

What are the most dramatic falls you’ve encountered on your travels?

Share with us in the comments below.

Angel Falls, Venezuela

Angel Falls in morning light instagrammed waterfalls

Photo: Alice Nerr /Shutterstock

Salto Del Angel, better known to English speakers as Angel Falls, is considered the highest in the world at 979 metres.

Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Iceland

Person walking behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall in Iceland

Photo: Octus_Photography/Shutterstock

This picturesque 60 metre plunge has appeared on the likes of The Amazing Race. Hikers get a kick out of the trail that leads behind the falls

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Photo: Lukas Bischoff Photograph/Shutterstock

Victoria forms the “largest sheet of falling water in the world”. Its extent is so great that it helps to have a view from the air.

Victoria Falls, Zambia

Photo: Danita Delimont/Shutterstock

Yosemite Falls, California

yosemite amtrak trip

Photo: Stephen Moehle/Shutterstock

One of the most photogenic falls in California’s Yosemite National Park, and that’s saying a lot.

Kaieteur Falls, Guyana

guyana

Photo: Gail Johnson/Shutterstock

Though neither the tallest nor the widest, Kaieteur’s combination of height and volume makes it one of the world’s most powerful falls.

Takakkaw Falls, Canada

Photo: Pavel Tvrdy/Shutterstock

Takakkaw is one of the star attractions of British Columbia’s Yoho National Park.

Tad Fan twin waterfalls, Laos

Photo: Matyas Rehak/Shutterstock

Twin chutes of water plummet into a jungle gorge just beyond the balconies of the Tad Fane resort.

Niagara Falls, USA/Canada

flights to toronto from nyc - niagara falls

Photo: Jam Norasett/Shutterstock

Niagara needs no introduction.

Barron Falls, Australia

Photo: Tracey Jones Photography/Shutterstock

Only a trickle for much of the year, the Barron Falls roar after a hearty rainy-season downpour.

Glacial waterfall in Queulat National Park, Chile

distant view of hanging glacier in Queulat National Park in Chile

Photo: Alberto Loyo/Shutterstock

Sensitive environmentalists, avert your eyes. This one might as well be taken straight from a climate change poster.

Iguazu Falls, Argentina/Brazil

Photo: sharptoyou/Shutterstock

There are 275 separate falls along this 2.7km stretch of the Iguazu River. Yeah, they’re awesome. Check out the view from above (below) for a better idea of how gigantic the falls are.

Iguazu Falls from above, Argentina/Brazil

Iguassu Falls Argentina is a perfect destination for Scorpios

Photo: Nido Huebl/Shutterstock

Murchison Falls, Uganda

Photo: Jan Jerman/Shutterstock

According to one of Matador Network’s readers, Murchison Falls “are not that high, but the Nile funnels through a tiny gap of only a few metres. The force generated is enough to knock hippos off their feet and sweep them down the falls (and presumably into the gaping mouths of the waiting crocodiles)!”

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