Grand Canyon National Park
United States ·
Description
The Grand Canyon is Earth's most spectacular geology book. 1,800 meters deep, 446 kilometers long, and each rock stratum tells millions of years. The Colorado, tiny from the rim, carved this color-changing abyss over six million years. At sunrise and sunset, walls burn in red, orange and purple.
Why It's a World Heritage Site
The Grand Canyon exposes nearly two billion years of Earth's geological history in visible layers. It is one of the world's most spectacular landscapes and an exceptional laboratory for geology and paleontology.
UNESCO Criteria
Frequently Asked Questions
For exposing nearly two billion years of geological history in one of the world's most spectacular landscapes.
It was inscribed in 1979 under criteria (vii), (viii), (ix) and (x).
South: more accessible, open year-round. North: less crowded but closed in winter.
Yes, but very demanding; the climb out is harder. Don't attempt round trip in one day.
Yes, 3-18 day expeditions; book a year in advance.