Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is a group of three waterfalls on the border between Ontario, Canada, and New York, USA, among the most powerful waterfalls in North America by flow rate.
Retreating glaciers carved this landscape more than ten thousand years before anyone thought to harness it, but it was electricity, not tourism, that first proved the falls' true power to the world.
Formed by Retreating Glaciers
The falls formed roughly 12,000 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age, as retreating glaciers carved a path for water from the upper Great Lakes to drain into Lake Ontario and eventually the Atlantic Ocean. Over millennia, the force of the water has gradually eroded the falls upstream from their original location.
Three Falls in One
Niagara Falls actually consists of three distinct waterfalls: Horseshoe Falls, mostly on the Canadian side and the largest and most powerful of the three; American Falls; and the much smaller Bridal Veil Falls, both located on the American side of the border.
A Source of Power
Beyond its scenic appeal, Niagara Falls has been harnessed for hydroelectric power since the late 19th century, when engineers first successfully generated large-scale electricity from its flow — a breakthrough that helped prove the viability of long-distance electrical transmission and spurred the broader adoption of AC power championed by Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse.
A Tourist Destination
Niagara Falls has attracted travelers since the early 19th century, when it became one of the first major tourist destinations in North America, particularly popular as a honeymoon spot from the Victorian era onward. Daredevils have also famously attempted to go over the falls in barrels since 1901. Today, the falls remain one of the most visited natural attractions in the world, drawing millions of visitors from both the Canadian and American sides each year.
