The World's 12 Highest Waterfalls: Nature's Most Spectacular Drops

Waterfalls have always captured the imagination with their raw power and natural beauty. Some, however, stand out not just for their picturesque charm but for their incredible height, where water plummets from dizzying altitudes, creating dramatic landscapes that seem almost otherworldly. This article takes you on a journey to the 12 highest waterfalls in the world, delving deeper into their unique characteristics, cultural significance, and the awe they inspire.

Nestled deep within the Venezuelan jungle in Canaima National Park, Angel Falls is the tallest waterfall in the world and a true natural wonder. The water cascades almost a full kilometer from the summit of Auyán-tepui, one of the region's distinctive table-top mountains. The falls are named after Jimmie Angel, an American aviator who inadvertently made them famous when his plane crash-landed atop the tepui in 1937. Angel Falls is known locally as "Kerepakupai Merú," meaning "waterfall of the deepest place" in the language of the indigenous Pemon people. It holds deep spiritual significance for them, as they believe the tepuis are the homes of gods and spirits. Reaching Angel Falls is no easy feat—it requires a combination of flights, river journeys, and hikes through dense rainforest. Yet, for those who make the trek, the sight of water free-falling for nearly a kilometer, before dissolving into mist, is an unforgettable experience that highlights the untouched beauty of Venezuela’s wilderness.