Although it may sound like a cliche, Canaima National Park is a true marvel of nature. Located in Bolivar State, southern Venezuela, is unmatched anywhere else in the world. Among its charms is the Angel Falls or «Churún Meru, the highest waterfall in the world.

Canaima National Park, located in southeastern Venezuela, was created in 1962 and covers an area of 3,000,000 ha, so has the privilege of being one of the largest natural parks in the world, besides being one of the most shocking. The park occupies the northeast sector of the Guyana Shield, Precambrian basement rocks dating back 900 to 3,500 million years.

Canaima has two large areas in the east, the eastern sector, where there is the Gran Sabana, and the west, the west, with attractions such as Laguna Canaima and Angel Falls or «Churún Meru by its indigenous name (Pemon). ‘Meru’ means ‘waterfall’. This is the world’s highest rainfall (978 mts).

Canaima plenty in there especially steep plateaus called tepuis (plural of the word ‘tepuy’ voice coming from the indigenous Pemon meaning «mountain»). These rock formations are truly ancient colossi of vertical walls and ridges that can sometimes be flat. Are characteristic of the Guyana Shield called.

The highest of these mountains of rock (according to Indian legend are gods who were stuffed) is the Roraima that has an approximate height of 2700 meters. Many scientists say that at this point occurred the separation of the continent (Pangea). Roraima is the best known and most visited of the table mountains and its summit is the border pillar «triple point» converging borders of Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana, which was laid in 1931 by an international commission.

Roraima is a true architectural wonder of nature. His real name is «Roroima» and its age is estimated at 2000 million years. Its highest point is called Maverick Shopping (for having the form of that brand of vehicle). Its plants are studied by experts and that are unique on the planet. At the top are rock formations caused by erosion of centuries and lakes as «Gladys».

All tepuis are very rare forms (one is told the erotic). Among the more significant is the Auyan-Tepuy (2,400 m) is north of National Park. It is considered the Olympus of the Gods Arekunas, his original name is «Aiyantepuy» which means «mountain of hell, or the devil. Indian tradition holds that at their summit inhabit «mawariton» (evil spirits) accompanied by «Truman» Chita «(the supreme being of evil). From this arises tepuy imposing Angel Falls. Also there is the «Canyon Diablo» with its waterfalls and giant walls eroded over the centuries. Folding large variety of birds. To find this gem of nature can be made expeditions by foot and canoe (small boats) or fly in airplanes. During the rainy season can be glimpsed dozens of hops, which are around 200 and 300 meters high. Other attractions of Auyan-Tepuy are the Valley of the Thousand Columns, The stone monkey, Jimmy Angel’s plane, The Dinosaur Stone, The Curtain and the Canyon jump Delve.

More important are the Chimata tepuis (2,700 m) and the Kukenán (2,600 m), there are 34 in total. The vegetation in them is generally tropical rainforest in their bases and slopes, and their tops can be certain shrubs. The fauna is diverse, many birds like the harpy eagle, merlin falcons, macaws and dwarf hummingbird, and land animals like anteaters, jaguars, otters, foxes and howler monkeys.

Another extremely important presence in this natural wonder is the water, since the Park covers the entire eastern basin and upper reaches of the Garonne, which is the source of the largest hydroelectric complex in Venezuela: Hydroelectric Simón Bolívar, formerly called Guri dam Raúl Leoni (until in 2006 a presidential decree changed the name) this is the third largest hydroelectric facility in the world with 10,000 MW of capacity, second only to the complex binational Itaipu in Brazil and Paraguay and hydroelectric complex, the Three Gorges in China.

Canaima Lagoon with his great splendor is the best ornament of the village of Canaima, in it lie the waters of the Rio Carrao combining several tributaries as waters of the river Akan and the Churún, born in Auyantepuy. Carrao waters join those of the great Rio Caroni. In the vicinity of the Laguna hotels and camps there. It will take you curious approach the waterfalls important comparing with turbines and have a beautiful color due to mineral substances that drag.

One of the charms of La Gran Sabana is that it is sparsely inhabited. Santa Elena is one of its few settlements. It is located south before reaching the border with Brazil, which is headed by the people of Paracaima, or «The Line».

In Canaima Park have found traces of pre-Columbian Indian villages, and currently living communities with subgroups Pemón Kamaracoto, Taurepan and Arekuna. Its territory was recognized in the eighteenth century by Capuchin missionaries

This is the perfect natural setting for extreme life experiences, such as climbing, rafting or skydiving. Among the companies offering tourism plans are: Mystic Tour, Raul Helicopters, and Ruta Salvaje Tours.

Bon Voyage!