Canaima National Park
A vast expanse of spectacular scenery
Canaima National Park was formed by the Venezuelan Government in 1962, with an area of 1 million hectares. This was increased to 3 million hectares in 1975, making it one of the largest national parks in the world.
Canaima National Park is spread in south-eastern Venezuela along the border between Guyana and Brazil. The best-known feature of Canaima National Park are its characteristic flat-topped mountain formations known as 'tepuis' which cover roughly 65% of the park. The tepuis constitute a unique biogeological entity and are of great geological interest.
Salto Angel or Angel Falls spill into the Cañon del Diablo, Devil's Canyon. This is the highest waterfall in the world - more than 15 times higher than Niagara Falls. The falls are named after an American flyer, Jimmy Angel, who was searching for gold and instead found the falls.
By its very size and because of its spectacular scenery and vast natural resources, Canaima National Park is truly one of the world's greatest natural wonders.
The park protects significant populations of 5 endangered mammal species: jaguars, giant anteaters, giant river otters, ocelots and giant armadillos. One third of the plants here are found nowhere else on the planet. Canaima harbours nearly half of the neotropical migratory birds that winter in South America; many are of conservation priority, including the osprey, American swallow-tailed kite and broad-winged hawk. The park’s highlands provide habitat for nearly 100 bird species, including 29 species found nowhere else.
It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 because of the tepuis. The most famous Tepuis in the park are Monte Roraima, the tallest and easiest to climb, and Auyantepui, from which fall the Angel Falls - easily the most famous feature of the park.