Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is a gorge carved by Colorado river, located in northern Arizona, United States. The canyon, considered to be among the major natural wonders of the world, is largely located in the Grand Canyon National Park - one of the first national parks in American history. President Theodore Roosevelt was a major proponent of the Grand Canyon area, visiting on numerous occasions to hunt mountain lion and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

The canyon, created by the Colorado River cutting a channel in gradually rising land over millions of years, is about 350 kilometers long, and ranges in width from 6 to 29 kilometers.

Aside from casual sightseeing from the South Rim, white water rafting and hiking are especially popular. Commercially organized rafting trips, using 50 foot, 25 person "baloney boats" equipped with outboard engines, make the trip from Lee's Ferry to Marble Creek in about four days. Smaller organizations use 18 foot rafts and dorys powered only with oars and paddles, and take over two weeks to complete the journey.

The canyon was first seen by a European in 1540, García López de Cárdenas from Spain.