Grand Canyon Fast Facts

The Grand Canyon is a wonderful year-round vacation destination and has millions of facts, info, stories, history, geology and areas to study. Learning the hisory and interesting facts about the Grand Canyon can be a life long venture of research and exploration. We at the National Geographic Visitor Center thought you might enjoy some fast facts to increase your basic knowledge of this natural wonder of the world.

The Grand Canyon

Is a chasm 277 miles long and up to 18 miles wide
Below Yavapai point is 2,400 feet above sea level, about 4,500 feet below the South Rim and 5,400 feet below the North Rim for an average depth of about one mile
Took 3-6 million years to form; erosion continues to alter its contours
Includes approximately 70 species of mammals, 250 species of birds, 25 types of reptiles and five species of amphibians
Was formed by the Colorado River, which flows west through the canyon and averages about 300 feet width, 100 feet in depth and flows at an average speed of four miles per hour

The Grand Canyon National Park

Was made a national monument in 1908 and became a national park in 1919
Covers an area of 1,900 square miles
Is 190 miles long
Contains some 277 miles of the Colorado River
Is populated by five Indian tribes: The Hopi, Navajo, Havasupai, Paiute and Hualapai