The Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and one of the most visited sites on the planet. Boasting more than 1.2 million acres the canyon is home to two major ecosystems from rain filled grasslands in the higher elevations to the arid desert basins in the lower elevations. The canyon is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and more than 5,000 feet deep. This amazing landmark was carved over millions of years of water erosion from the Colorado River and other natural events. The river’s elevation at the bottom of the canyon averages about 2,200 feet and its highest elevation is at Grandview Point where it reaches 6,800 feet. The canyon itself is a veritable time capsule with walls containing rocks which range from 250 million to more than 2 billion years old.
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The two ecosystems can be found on the south rim and the north rim. The stark differences between the two are evident to all who visit the area. The south rim is made up mostly of desert land with very few springs and only a handful of plant and animal life have adapted over the years to the conditions. The north rim has a much wetter climate and, therefore, much more plant and animal life with grassy fields dotting the landscape and trees scattered throughout the area.
One of the greatest engineering feats on Earth was the construction of Hoover Dam. This magnificent structure rises more than 700 feet above the Colorado River and spans the entire Black Canyon . The dam was built between 1931 and 1935. Its fascinating history includes the fact that it was built while the country was attempting to recover from the Great Depression and 94 workers lost their lives during its construction. It has been named a National Historic Landmark as well as one of America ’s Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders. It is Nevada ’s number one tourist attraction and provides energy to three states: California , Arizona and Nevada .
One of the results of the success of Hoover Dam is Lake Mead . It was the first of the four lakes created along Colorado River by the dam’s construction. Lake Mead is also the largest man made lake in the United States and is one of Nevada ’s top tourist attractions. The Lake Mead Recreation Area offers dozens of activities for visitors to enjoy from boating and fishing to camping and rafting.
On the Grand Canyon Silver Cloud Tour you’ll glide through the air for a bird’s eye view of the magnificent Grand Canyon, Lake Mead and Hoover Dam. You’ll see amazing sights up close such as Fortification Hill, an extinct volcano, and the Bowl of Fire, an area filled with beautiful rock formations. It’s sure to be an unforgettable adventure and one you’ll love telling everyone back home all about.
Tour Info:
- Tour sites include the Grand Canyon, Fortification Hill, Bowl of Fire, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and the Las Vegas Strip
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