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Table of Contents
Niagara Falls is a group of three waterfalls that straddles the border between New York state (USA) and the province of Ontario (Canada). The falls are located on the Niagara River and were formed when glaciers receded at the end of the last ice age and carved out a path through the Niagara Escarpment towards the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
See the fact file below for more information on the Niagara Falls or alternatively, you can download our 20-page Niagara Falls worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF NIAGARA FALLS
- Many historians believe that the name Niagara Falls comes from an Indigenous group called the Niagagarega people, or that from the name of an Iroquois town named Onguiaahra which roughly translates to βpoint of land cut in twoβ.
- French explorer Samuel de Champlain visited the area in the 17th century and recorded his observations in a journal, but it was Finnish-Swedish naturalist Pehr Kalm who was the first person to scientifically describe the falls.
- There is some debate over who can be formally credited with the first full description of the falls.
- During the 19th century, Niagara Falls became the areaβs main industry due to its overwhelming number of tourists.
- In March 1848, an ice blockage resulted in the falls stopping for 40 continuous hours, which resulted in mills and factories in the area shutting down due to a loss of power.
- The first time Niagara Falls was referred to as a βHoneymoonβ destination was just after the American Civil War, and it has held that name ever since.
- Tourism boomed again shortly after the First World War; automobiles now made accessing the falls from far places easier.
- By the 20th century, people shifted their attention to controlling the
development on both sides in order to maintain the natural beauty
of the landscape.
GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY OF NIAGARA FALLS
- The largest of the three falls is Horseshoe Falls (also known as the Canadian Falls) which straddles the USA and Canada border; the smaller American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are entirely on the American side of the gorge.
- The falls are located on the Niagara River which drains Lake Erie into Lake Ontario.
- It is estimated that an average of more than six million cubic feet of water goes over the crest of the falls every minute.
- Horseshoe Falls, according to flow rate, is the most powerful waterfall in all of North America, and all three falls are a valuable source of hydroelectric power.
- There are giant boulders at the base of the falls, which were etched into the geology of the falls as a result of the Wisconsin glaciation around 10,000 years ago.
- The retreat of the ice sheet filled up basins that glaciers had carved out (this resulted in the creation of the Great Lakes); when the ice melted, the water flowed out of the Great Lakes and into the Niagara River.
- Through the process of erosion, the falls have changed shape over the years, but engineering has been able to slow the erosion and recession rate of the falls to about 1 foot per year.
TOURISM AND PRESERVATION OF NIAGARA FALLS
- Over the years, several daredevils have brought crowds to Niagara Falls by performing stunts like tightrope walking and leaping over the falls in barrels and other devices.
- More recently, on June 15, 2012, high wire artist Nik Wallenda was given special permission from both the US and Canadian government to tightrope walk across the falls, making him not only the first person to walk across the falls area in 116 years, but also the person to make the longest unsupported tightrope walk in history.
- Peak tourism occurs during the summer months in the falls, with tourists opting to take a cruise on the oldest and best-known attraction, the Maid of the Mist, which operates from both sides of the falls.
- The falls can be viewed aerially on a helicopter ride, but there are other observation points and walking routes on both sides.
- Queen Victoria Park on the Canadian side of the falls includes gardens, walkways, and recreation trails; the Canadian side also boasts the Skylon Tower which offers the highest views of the falls, as well
as several casinos, hotels, and tourist attractions. - Clifton Hill, found on the Canadian side of the falls, is a major tourist promenade, offering tourists the chance to play arcade games, visit
wax museums, walk through haunted houses, go-kart, eat and drink, and take a ride on the Niagara Skywheel, pictured to the left.
Niagara Falls Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Niagara Falls across 20 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Niagara Falls worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Niagara Falls which is a group of three waterfalls that straddles the border between New York state (USA) and the province of Ontario (Canada). The falls are located on the Niagara River and were formed when glaciers receded at the end of the last ice age and carved out a path through the Niagara Escarpment towards the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Niagara Falls Facts
- The Battle of Lundyβs Lane
- A Lovely Day at Niagara Falls
- Niagara Falls Wordsearch
- Opinion Piece
- Daredevils at the Falls
- Historical Timeline
- The Falls in Summer and Winter
- Niagara Falls Crossword
- Our Five Senses
- Postcard from Niagara Falls
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Link will appear as Niagara Falls Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, January 28, 2020
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.