Niagara Water Falls

Niagara Falls is a group of massive waterfalls situated on the Niagara River, straddling the international border separating the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of New York.

It is the most powerful waterfall in North America. The falls is located 17 miles (27 km) north-northwest of Buffalo, New York, 75 miles (120 km) south-southeast of Toronto, Ontario, between the twin cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Niagara Falls, New York.

It has two major sections separated by Goat Island. The Horseshoe Falls is on the Canadian side of the border and the American Falls on the United States side. The smaller Bridal Veil Falls is also located on the American side, separated from the main falls by Luna Island.

Niagara Falls was a result of receding of glaciers at the end of the Wisconsin glaciation (the last ice age), and water from the newly-formed Great Lakes carved a path through the Niagara Escarpment en route to the Atlantic Ocean. Even though it is not exceptionally high, the Niagara Falls is very wide.

It is assessed that six million cubic feet (168,000 m³) of water fall over the crest line every minute in high flow and almost 4 million cubic feet (110,000 m³) on average. The Niagara Falls is renowned both for its beauty and as a valuable source of hydroelectric power.

Location

The Niagara falls is located 17 miles (27 km) north-northwest of Buffalo, New York, 75 miles (120 km) south-southeast of Toronto, Ontario, between the twin cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Niagara Falls, New York.

Historical Importance         

In 1604, Frenchman Samuel de Champlain visited the area during his exploration of Canada. In 1677, the Belgian Father Louis Hennepin, observed and described the Falls after traveling with explorer René Robert Cavelier and Sieur de la Salle. In early 1700s, the Finnish-Swedish naturalist Pehr Kalm, explored the area and wrote his experience. Credible evidence says that French Jesuit Reverend Paul Ragueneau visited the falls some 35 years prior to Hennepin's visit.

Nearby Attractions

Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort
It is a 2.5 million square foot complex that includes more than 3,000 slot machines and 150 gaming tables, a 368-room five-star hotel, fine-dining restaurants, 50,000 square feet of meeting/conference space, a health spa, a retail facility, and a 1,500-seat theatre.

Skylon Tower
It offers a spectacular view 775 feet (236 meters) above Niagara Falls from its Observation Deck.

MAX Theatre Niagara Falls
It offers the thunderous power of Niagara Falls from a heart-thumping perspective. The IMAX Theatre Niagara Falls features more than six-story high screen and 12,000 watts of floor shaking digital surround sound.

Marineland
Marineland features park rides and marine shows that include beluga whales, killer whales, dolphins and other wildlife, such as deer and bears.

Butterfly Conservatory / Botanical Gardens
The Butterfly Conservatory is part of the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens close to Niagara Falls. It has an indoor, climate-controlled facility that features a network of paths in a tropical rainforest setting where thousands of butterflies breed.

How to reach

By Air - Niagara Falls can be reached by Air and the nearest airports are
Buffalo Niagara International Airport in Cheektowaga, New York.
Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario.
Hamilton/John C. Munro International Airport in Mount Hope, Ontario.

By Rail - Amtrak Station - Toronto and New York City

By Road - Bus facilities are available from Greyhound Canada to Toronto and Buffalo and also from Coach Canada to Toronto and Buffalo. There are taxis available from

Buffalo, New York to Niagara Falls, Ontario and Toronto.