http://www.scenic.com/ | Think you know everything about the Grand Canyon? You might be surprised. Here are some of the most fascinating facts you may not have known about this iconic travel destination.

2. Millions of people from
all over the world travel
to see spectacular views
of the Grand Canyon
each year, but there are
some lesser-known facts
about this beautiful
national park that often
go overlooked.
In this presentation, we
offer up some of the
most intriguing points
pertaining to the Grand
Canyon’s geology,
history, attractions, and
much more.

3. It’s no secret that the Grand Canyon is enormous in its depth and size, but did you
know that it spans over 277 miles long and up to 18 miles wide? In addition, this
majestic canyon goes as deep as 5,000 feet in certain areas, making it one of the
largest and most popular Natural Wonders of the World.

4. Through the process of
erosion and other
geological factors,
scientists theorize that the
Grand Canyon was carved
by the Colorado River over
the course of 3 million to 6
million years. Some
horizontal layers of the
canyon even span across
2,000 million years of
geological history according
to scientific estimates.

5. While the Grand
Canyon’s initial discovery
was first documented in
1540, it wasn’t fully
explored until the year
1869 when Major John
Wesley set sail on the
Colorado River. It later
became a national
monument in 1908 and
was designated as a U.S.
national park in 1919.

6. There are 91 mammal species
and 47 reptile species known to
be living among the canyon,
including mountain lions,
bobcats, beavers, bighorn
sheep, and rattlesnakes. Birds
are plentiful as well, ranging from
bald eagles to pinyon jays. One
of the creepiest animals you’ll
find is the short-horned lizard,
known to shoot blood from its
eyes as a means of warding off
potential predators.

7. One of the strangest facts surrounding the Grand Canyon’s history involves the
advancement of aviation regulations. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)
was implemented in 1958 after two passenger planes collided into each other
while trying to enter the airspace for a better view of the canyon.

8. Grand Canyon National Park is the second-most visited park in the U.S., after the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park. About 5 million people visit annually to
experience Grand Canyon tours and other exciting sightseeing opportunities
nearby. With the large number of visitors this destination receives each year, its
population is staggering by comparison. According to the 2010 Census, there are
only 2,004 people residing in Grand Canyon Village.

9. Popular attractions include the
Grand Canyon Skywalk, a glass
floor walkway that extends about 70
feet outward from the canyon rim,
as well as white water rafting
adventures along the Colorado
River. Thousands of people also
take part in Grand Canyon air tours
every year for a chance to see the
magnificent landscape with a one-
of-a-kind bird’s-eye view.

10. Over 10 million people have
visited the Grand Canyon and
other national parks with Scenic
Airlines. One of the largest and
most experienced aerial tour
operators in the world, travelers
from across the globe rely on
Scenic to experience over 20
uniquely customizable tours in
exploration the great Southwest.
Your adventure awaits.
Visit www.scenic.com or call
1-800-634-6801 for more
information and to book your
next vacation.

11. Sources
• http://www.gctours.net/interesting-facts-about-grand-canyon/
• http://www.livescience.com/31903-amazing-grand-canyon-facts.html
• http://grand-canyon-park.org/fun-facts/
• http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/earth/grandcanyon.html