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In Canaima National Park, Salto Ángel impresses with 979 meters, inspires Hollywood, challenges visitors, and reinforces the natural grandeur of Venezuela
Hidden in Canaima National Park, in southeastern Venezuela, Salto Ángel stands at 979 meters tall, leading the ranking of the highest waterfall in the world on solid ground and showcasing an impressive landscape.
Height that challenges references
Salto Ángel surpasses known landmarks. Its total height is almost three times that of the Empire State Building in New York and also exceeds the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the tallest building in the world, which stands at 828 meters.
The comparison with the Iguazu Falls amplifies the scale. While the falls between Brazil and Argentina range from 40 to 80 meters, the Venezuelan drop plunges nearly a kilometer, imposing a monumental contrast.
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Water, mist, and tepuis
Due to the extreme height, part of the water from Salto Ángel evaporates before reaching the ground for much of the year. The flow eventually merges with the mist of the rainforest, creating a striking image.
The waterfall rises among the tepuis, table-shaped plateaus that help define the landscape. The ensemble is part of Canaima National Park, an area recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Inspiration for cinema
The visual power of Salto Ángel has reached cinema. The waterfall and the tepuis inspired the “Paradise Falls” in Up – Altas Aventuras, from Disney/Pixar, and also influenced the visual construction of Avatar.
In October 2025, the site also witnessed a historic feat. Brazilian Rafael Bridi set the world record for highlining by crossing a tightrope stretched 1,008 meters high, next to the waterfall.
While celebrating the achievement on social media, Bridi stated: “This is what turned an almost impossible idea into the highline crossing over the highest waterfall ever accomplished.”
Difficult access to the destination
Visiting Salto Ángel is a test of endurance. Known by the indigenous pemón as Kerepakupai-Merú, the site has no roads, making the arrival an expedition.
The journey usually begins with a flight from Caracas to Canaima Airport. Then, it continues by motorboat along the Churún River and ends with a dense hike through the jungle, in a complex logistical route.
In recent years, the crisis in Venezuela and the suspension of flights by various airlines have made access even more restricted, limiting the arrival of visitors to the destination.
The largest waterfall is in the sea
Although Salto Ángel leads on the continents, science points to an even larger waterfall underwater. In the Denmark Strait, between Greenland and Iceland, there is an underwater waterfall with a total drop of 3,500 meters.
Invisible from the surface, it is fed by the difference in density between cold and warm waters and plays a crucial role in regulating the global climate, amplifying the contrast with the Venezuelan giant.
With information from Gazeta de São Paulo.
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