Слайд 2Most visitors to the park come to the South Rim, arriving on
Arizona State Route 64. The Highway enters the park through the South Entrance, near Arizona, and heads eastward, leaving the park through the East Entrance.
Слайд 3All park accommodations are operated by the Xanterra corporation. Park headquarters are
at Grand Canyon Village, a short distance from the South Entrance, being also the center of the most popular viewpoints.
Слайд 4Some thirty miles of the South Rim are accessible by road. A
much smaller venue for tourists is found on the North Rim, accessed by Arizona State Route 67.
Слайд 5The area around the Grand Canyon became a national monument on January
11, 1908, and was designated national park on February 26, 1919.
Слайд 6The creation of the park was an early success of the environmental
conservation movement; In 1979, UNESCO declared it as a World Heritage Site.
Слайд 7The Grand Canyon itself, including its extensive system of tributary canyons, is
valued for the combination of large size, depth, and the exposed layering of colorful rocks dating back to Precambrian times.
Слайд 8GRAND CANYON
President Theodore Roosevelt was a major proponent of preservation of the
Grand Canyon area, and visited it on numerous occasions to hunt and enjoy the scenery.
Слайд 9GEOGRAPHY
It is not the deepest canyon in the world (Kali Gandaki Gorge
in Nepal is far deeper), nor the widest (Capertee Valley in Australia is about 1 km wider and longer than Grand Canyon); however, the Grand Canyon is known for its visually overwhelming size and its intricate and colorful landscape.
Слайд 10Geologically it is significant because of the thick sequence of ancient rocks
that are beautifully preserved and exposed in the walls of the canyon. These rock layers record much of the early geologic history of the North American continent.
Слайд 11Temperatures on the North Rim are generally lower than the South Rim
because of the greater elevation .Heavy rains are common on both rims during the summer months. Access to the North Rim is limited during the winter season due to road closures. Views from the North Rim tend to give a better impression of the expanse of the canyon than those from the South Rim.
Слайд 12GEOLOGY
The Colorado River basin (of which the Grand Canyon is a part)
has developed in the past 40 million years. A recent study places the origins of the canyon beginning some 17 million years ago.