Auyán-tepui facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Auyán |
|
|---|---|
Auyán Tepui seen at dusk from Campo Uruyen
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,450 m (8,040 ft) |
| Geography | |
.jpg)
 Auyán
Location in Venezuela
|
|
| Location | Bolívar, Venezuela |
Auyán Tepui (pronounced "aw-YAHN teh-POO-ee"), sometimes spelled Ayan, is a giant, flat-topped mountain in Bolívar state, Venezuela. It's one of the largest and most visited "tepuis" in the world. Tepuis are like huge natural tables that rise high above the surrounding land. Auyán Tepui is famous for its amazing landscapes and for being home to the world's tallest waterfall, Angel Falls.
The top of Auyán Tepui is shaped a bit like an uneven heart. It's very big, covering about 667 square kilometers (258 square miles). The mountain slopes upwards, from about 1,600 meters (5,200 feet) in the northwest to its highest point of 2,450 meters (8,040 feet) in the southeast. A huge valley called the Cañón del Diablo (Devil's Canyon) cuts into the mountain from the north. This canyon was formed by the Churún River.
The western part of the mountain's top has some forests. But the eastern part is mostly bare rock with only small patches of plants. Auyán Tepui also has many large cave systems hidden inside it.
Contents
What is the Auyán Massif?
Auyán Tepui is part of a larger group of mountains called the Auyán Massif. This group also includes smaller peaks like Cerro El Sol and Cerro La Luna to the north. Another mountain, Uaipán-tepui, is to the south. The entire Auyán Massif is located inside Canaima National Park, a protected area known for its incredible nature.
The name Auyán-tepui means "Devil's House" in the local Pemón language.
Angel Falls: The World's Tallest Waterfall
One of the most famous features of Auyán Tepui is Angel Falls. This is the tallest waterfall in the entire world! It plunges from a crack near the mountain's summit. The falls are an incredible 979 meters (3,212 feet) high. The water drops without interruption for 807 meters (2,648 feet). That's like a drop nineteen times higher than Niagara Falls!
Who Discovered Angel Falls?
Auyán Tepui became famous around the world in 1933. That's when Jimmie Angel, an American bush pilot, accidentally discovered Angel Falls. He was flying over the area, searching for gold ore.
In 1937, Jimmie Angel tried to land his small Flamingo plane on the heart-shaped top of Auyán Tepui. But he crashed! Luckily, he and his crew were safe. They had to hike down the mountain's gently sloping back. This journey took them 11 days to complete. Because of his amazing discovery and adventure, the waterfall was named after him.
Animals and Plants of Auyán Tepui
Auyán Tepui is home to many different kinds of animals and plants. Scientists have found about 25 species of amphibians and reptiles on the mountain's summit. Many different birds also live there. Like many tepuis, Auyán Tepui has a rich collection of unique plants that can't be found anywhere else in the world.
See also
In Spanish: Auyantepui para niños
- Gran Sabana
- Distribution of Heliamphora
