The Majestic Niagara Falls: A Natural Wonder on the US-Canada Border

Although the falls are shared by both the United States and Canada, the most popular part of the falls is the Canadian side. The city of Buffalo, located in New York, is the closest city to the falls and benefits greatly from the influx of tourists who come to see this natural wonder. With over 20 million visitors each year, Niagara Falls is a major tourist destination, and Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York.

Niagara Falls was created thousands of years ago when glaciers from the North Pole caused a depression in the land. The name Niagara is derived from the Iroquois word "Onguiaahra," which means "the strait." In the Iroquois language, the word "Niagara" means "thundering waters."

The falls are an impressive sight to behold. At 51 meters tall, the Horseshoe Falls is the largest of the three waterfalls. Over 168,000 cubic meters of water flow over the falls every 30 seconds, and the falls expand by up to 102 centimeters each year. The Niagara River is also one of the largest rivers in North America.

One of the unique features of Niagara Falls is that it is the only waterfall in the world that flows in the opposite direction. The water hits the rocks at the bottom of the falls and bounces back up, creating the illusion that the water is flowing upward. In reality, the water is flowing downward, but the rebound creates an impressive visual effect.

In addition to being a popular tourist destination, Niagara Falls also generates electricity for both the United States and Canada. With its stunning beauty and impressive power, Niagara Falls truly is a natural wonder that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.