One of the most famous and interesting sceneries in the United States, the Grand Canyon is a valley that resulted from the carved landscape of the Colorado River. In order to promote the site, the national government established the first national park in the country at the place, the Grand Canyon National Park. The canyon stretches 446 kilometers and its width ranges from 6.4 kilometers to 29 kilometers. The depth of the place is estimated to be 1.83 kilometers. To know more about this beautiful gorge, let us start exploring the history of the discovery of the place.
Who discovered the Grand Canyon? According to records, the place was discovered by Native Americans 10,500 years ago. Evidence of early societies have been found at the site. Historians agree that different groups settled in the place such as the Anasazi, the Cohonina, the Cerbat, Paiutes and the Navajo. However, the first recorded non-Native American visit to the place is led by Spanish Captain Garcia Lopez de Cardenas who had seen the place with his soldiers in September 1540.
After over 200 years, it was reported that two unpopular Spanish priests saw the canyon. The Powell Geographic Expedition led by U.S. Army Major John Wesley Powell was launched in 1869 through the Grand Canyon. The expedition discovered the geology of the place. In addition, it helped in the discovery of mineral resources in the site like asbestos and copper.
The early people near the place found that tourism was more profitable than mining. In this regard, the Grand Canyon Railway was built in 1901 to enhance tourism in the place. After four years, the El Tavar Hotel was established in the place. In 1922, the Phantom Ranch was developed to attract more tourists. In 1919, the place attained the U.S. National Park Status.
Additional Information and Other Important Details
The place features various interesting, amazing and attractive sites. In the South Rim area of the canyon, people can find the Grand Canyon Village, the Desert View as well as the Hermits Rest. On the other hand, in the North Rim, tourists can view beautiful sites including the Cape Royal, Point Imperial and the Bright Angel Point. The other popular destinations in the place are the Havasupai Indian Reservation and the Hualapai Indian Reservation.
When it comes to activities, tourists can try exciting recreational activities like nature walking and hiking. Aside from these, the place also provides sites for whitewater rifting, motorcoach tours, stargazing and bicycling.