The Grand Canyon

A canyon is a deep narrow steep-sided valley usually with a river flowing through.

The Grand Canyon (Northern Arizona) is one of the greatest genuine wonders of the world, the most monumental earth sculpture. It is 277 miles long (363 km) and one mile deep (1.6 km). It varies in width from 1 to 18 miles (28.8 km) across. It is very impressive and always challenged man's imagination by its immensity.

The Colorado River (or "Red River" as the Spanish explorers of the 16 th

century called it) is the "engineer" of the Grand Canyon. It formed the canyon over millions of years. It is the river of enormous fury-wild, restless and angry. The river's waters, carrying as much as a half million tons of sand daily had been carving this massive canyon long before dinosaurs roamed the earth. At the same time the land was rising. And each day the mighty river continues to carve deeper and deeper into the earth crust. The oldest rocks at the bottom of the canyon are more than a billion years old.

The rim (or top) of the canyon is about 7,000 feet (2,133.6 m) above sea level on the South Rim, and 9,000 feet (2,743.2 m) on the other side, the North Rim. As a result, there are different kinds of plants and animals on opposite sides of the canyon. The South Rim is dry desert country. The North Rim has tall forests.

The canyon looks different at different times of day, and in different seasons and weather. At sunrise and sunset the red, gold, orange colours of the rocks are especially clear and bright. In winter the canyon is partly covered with snow.

The view from the South Rim of the canyon is the best. The North Rim is quieter. It takes all day to drive there from the South Rim because there is only one bridge across the Colorado River. On the way, you go through Navaho Indian lands.

You can walk down into the Grand Canyon, or you can go down on the back of a mule. Inside the canyon, it is very hot – much hotter than at the top. You must be careful to carry enough water and not to get too tired. You can also take a boat trip down the Colorado River, and camp on the beaches at night.

1. Where is the Grand Canyon situated?a. in Texas b. in Alaska c. in Northern Arizona d. in California

2. Which description of the canyon is not true?a. The oldest rocks at the bottom of the canyon are only a million years

old.b. The North Rim has tall forests.c. It is very hot inside the canyon.d. The canyon looks different at different seasons.

3. What information about the canyon is correct?a. The South Rim has tall forests. b. In winter the Canyon is covered with ice.c. The Grand Canyon always challenged man's imagination.d. You must be careful to carry enough food and not to get too tired.

4. What is true about the Colorado River?a. The nickname of the Colorado is "Yellow River".b. The Colorado is quiet and restful.c. The river's waters carry a half million tons of sand every year.d. The Colorado continues to cut down through the rocks of the Grand

Canyon.