By R.L. Cultrona
About the Grand Canyon in Arizona
The Grand Canyon is one of the most famous landmarks in the
United States. It plays host to millions of visitors each year who come to take in its majestic cliffs and natural brilliance.
Size
The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, 18 miles wide and 5000 feet deep. The Grand Canyon National Park consists of over 1 million acres in northwestern Arizona.
Formation
The Grand Canyon was formed by the Colorado River eroding the land around it to form a deep canyon. Also, the north rim of the canyon is about 1,200 feet higher than the southern rim which causes the steam which rises from the river to erode the land further.
Ecosystem
The Grand Canyon has five of the seven life zones in it. It also has three of the four desert zones in North America within it. It has over 1,500 plant variations and over 500 different animal species.
Weather
The Grand Canyon has temperatures which range from the teens to the 50s for the low and from the 40s to the 80s for the high. The Canyon floor, on average, is 30 degrees warmer than the rim.
Discovery
Even though Native Americans have lived in and around the canyon for years, it was discovered by the explorer Francisco Vazquez de Coronado in 1540.
Resources
About the Author:
R.L. Cultrona is a San Diego native and a graduate of San Diego State University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in theater, television and film with a minor in communications and political science. She began writing online instructional articles in June 2009.
Photo Credits:
http://photos.igougo.com/images/p71124-Grand_Canyon-Grand_Canyon.jpg
