Angel Falls (Venezuela) – Location, History, Facts

Angel Falls coordinates

Angel Falls is commonly mapped at approximately 5.9701° N, 62.5362° W, or 5.9701, -62.5362 in decimal degrees.

Degrees: 5.9701° N, 62.5362° W

Decimal: 5.9701, -62.5362

Where Angel Falls is located

Angel Falls lies within Canaima National Park in Bolívar state, in the Guayana Region of southeastern Venezuela, located on the eastern edge of the Gran Sabana. The falls pour from the summit plateau of Auyán-tepui into the Churún River gorge, joining the Río Carrao downstream. Coordinates for the main plunge are approximately 5.97° N latitude and 62.53° W longitude. The surrounding landscape is characterized by steep tepui cliffs, sandstone plateaus, and dense upland forest.

Why Angel Falls is important

Angel Falls matters for multiple reasons: it holds the record for the highest uninterrupted waterfall globally, it embodies the geology of tepui formations, and it features in indigenous Pemon cultural narratives under the name Kerepakupai-merú. Its vertical scale provides a natural laboratory for studying erosion processes on quartzite-sandstone plateaus and localized mist-driven ecological niches. The site also represents a landmark within a UNESCO-recognized protected area, reinforcing its scientific and conservation significance.

History of Angel Falls

Geologically, Angel Falls formed through long-term erosion of the Auyán-tepui sandstone plateau, with water output cutting a narrow channel over deep time and producing the current free-fall. Human history around the falls includes long-standing recognition by local Pemon communities, whose oral traditions reference the cascade long before outside explorers recorded it. International attention increased in the early twentieth century after aviator Jimmie Angel conducted aerial flights over the region and became associated with the waterfall’s name. Subsequent scientific surveys and park designations incorporated the falls into formal conservation frameworks.

Natural features of Angel Falls

The waterfall issues from the summit lip of Auyán-tepui, a flat-topped sandstone massif of the Guiana Shield, and drops in a largely uninterrupted column to the forested valley below. The vertical face consists of hard quartzite-sandstone strata that fracture into sheer cliffs and talus slopes at the base. Observable characteristics include the long single plunge, episodic fragmentation of the stream into multiple ribbons during descent, and a persistent spray plume where falling water impacts rock and vegetation. The surrounding terrain contains steep escarpments and deep river gorges.

Environment, protection, and monitoring of Angel Falls

Angel Falls is contained within Canaima National Park, a national protected area managed under Venezuelan park authorities with recognition by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Conservation efforts emphasize protection of tepui ecosystems, endemic plant and animal species, and the hydrological integrity of the Churún-Río Carrao system. Management includes scientific monitoring, coordination between national agencies and indigenous stakeholders, and policies aimed at mitigating long-term ecological pressures while maintaining the park’s natural values.

Angel Falls facts

• An aviator named Jimmie Angel brought international attention to the waterfall, and his name became attached to the cascade in many languages.
• The stream that forms Angel Falls begins on the summit of Auyán-tepui and descends into the Churún River before joining the Río Carrao.
• Local Pemon communities call the waterfall Kerepakupai-merú and incorporate it into cultural stories and place names.
• Angel Falls is widely cited as the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall, with a total vertical drop measured at 979 metres.
• The waterfall and surrounding landscape are part of Canaima National Park, which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

← Venezuela

More in Venezuela

Explore Places by Type

Browse structured collections of recently published places by institution, urban role, or transport type.