King George VI Falls facts for kids
Quick facts for kids King George VI Falls |
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| Salto Oshi | |
King George VI Falls on January 17, 2012
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 Location in Guyana
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| Location | Cuyuni-Mazaruni region, Guyana |
| Coordinates | 5°41′18″N 61°06′44″W / 5.68833°N 61.11222°W |
| Total height | 214 metres (702 ft) |
| Watercourse | Oshi River |
The King George VI Falls, also known as Salto Oshi or Oshi Falls, is a beautiful waterfall in Guyana. You can find it on the Oshi River, in a part of the country called Cuyuni-Mazaruni.
This amazing waterfall is not visited very often. It's a bit of a hidden gem!
How Tall Are the Falls?
For a long time, people weren't sure exactly how tall King George VI Falls was. Some thought it was incredibly high, around 1,600 feet! However, in 2014, scientists measured it properly. They found its true height is 214 metres (702 ft).
Even though it's not as tall as once believed, it's still very impressive. The falls are special because they are very high and have a lot of water flowing over them. The water plunges straight down from a cliff. Sometimes, the way the cliff hangs over makes the waterfall look even bigger than it is!
Who Discovered the Falls?
The first person from a Western country to see these falls was an American scientist named Paul A. Zahl. He was an entomologist, which means he studied insects, and also a doctor. He saw the falls in 1938.
The old, incorrect height of 1,600 feet came from Mr. Zahl's early measurements. He tried to guess the height by throwing large rocks off the cliff. Then he counted how many seconds it took for the stones to hit the bottom. This method wasn't very exact, which led to the much bigger number being reported for many years.
Visiting King George VI Falls
The King George VI Falls are located close to an indigenous village called Paruima. If you want to visit the falls, you need to get special permission. You can get this permit from the Office of Indigenous Affairs. This helps protect the area and respect the local communities.
See also
- In Spanish: Salto Oshi para niños
