The hype about Niagara Falls is well-justified and truly well-deserved.

It is an absolutely breathtaking geological wonder, making it one of the most famous waterfalls in the whole world.

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Among the numerous popular sightseeing and honeymoon spots for new couples, Niagara Falls has to be the most favorite and frequently-visited of all.

Overlapping the borders between Canada and the United States, these gorgeous cascading waterfalls aren’t just a must-visit tourist attraction, but it is also a very major and an important source of hydroelectric power.

While it surely is one of the most beautiful wonders of nature all across the globe, there are many other fascinating things that you probably don’t know about these stunning waterfalls.

Here are some crazy yet interesting facts about this must-visit Canadian and American attraction.

Its Popularity Goes As Far Back As 200 Years

We all know that Niagara Falls is one of the popular destinations for honeymoon all over the world; however, what many people probably don’t know is that its ever-increasing popularity goes as far back as 200 years! As unbelievable as that may sound, Niagara Falls has actually been one of the most frequently-visited spots by newly-weds for hundreds of years!

World’s Eighth Wonder

In grade 4 or 5, you probably learned that there are 7 wonders of the world. Now, that’s up for debate, but what’s interesting to note is that Niagara Falls is often referred to as the ‘eighth’ wonder of the world. This is mainly because of the pure, infinite beauty of the Falls that most people fail to put into words.

Not just that, but in 1880, Niagara Falls was also given the name of the “Honeymoon Capital” of the world primarily due to its raw, romantic ostentation that seems to have etched every corner of this natural wonder.

Million Visitors Each Year

It’s not just couples and newly married people that visit Niagara Falls but also thousands of other people, including families that make sure to pay a visit to the magnificent Falls. The estimated number of visitors who go to Niagara Falls each year is more than 30 million, which has to be one of the highest numbers for any destination in the world!

The number keeps increasing each year, thanks to the breathtaking views offered by the falls and its sheer magnitude that seems to baffle the mind.

The Largest Producer of Electricity in New York

As we mentioned earlier that Niagara Falls is an important source of hydroelectric power; however, that’s not just it. It is actually the largest producer of electricity in the entire state of New York! It also powers the largest hydropower facility in the Western world. The water from the falls is made to pass through hydroelectric turbines, which, in turn, provide power to numerous areas of the United States and Canada.

The First Person to Go Over the Falls Was a 63-Year Old Teacher

Majority of the people that visit the Falls mostly just go there for sightseeing, explore the wonders of nature, and taking pictures for memories. There are very few who actually go over the falls, mainly due to the high risks and safety issues involved.

Interestingly, the first-ever person to travel across the falls was a 63-year-old teacher named Annie Edson Taylor. In 1901, she went all over the gushing waves of this waterfall in a custom-made barrel that was self-designed with the help of oak and iron. The barrel was further stuffed with a mattress as a safety measure. Ever since this lady displayed her incredible stunt of bravery over the falls, many people have followed suit in her lead. However, this activity is not promoted anymore, and anyone who does go over the falls without permission has to pay a steep fine.

It is a Combination of Three Different Waterfalls

Did you know that Niagara Falls isn’t just a single waterfall, but actually comprises of a combination of three different waterfalls?  The three waterfalls are called: Canadian Falls (also referred to as ‘Horseshoe Falls’), Bridal Veil Falls and American Falls. All these waterfalls mainly originate from the Niagara River, and its water flow and supply come from four Great Lakes. These Great Lakes include Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and Lake Huron. Together these three waterfalls lead to the highest rate of water flow on the Niagara Falls on the entire planet!

Filming of Pirates of the Caribbean

Have you seen the movie series called “Pirates of the Caribbean”?

If you have, you probably remember that one of the most amazing and impressive scenes of the movies was filmed at Niagara Falls, and the scene does show the Falls at one point. However, if you haven’t seen it, you should watch it to get a glimpse of the majestic, cascading falls in the movie scene!

1953 Marked the Year of Its Ultimate Popularity

Niagara Falls has been a popular tourist attraction for more than 200 years; however, 1953 is the year that marked its ultimate popularity. Do you know why?

That’s mainly because a movie called “Niagara” was released that year, and two of its lead actors were Marilyn Monroe and Joseph Cotton.

Ever since the release of the movie, the number of visitors rose sharply as more and more people started including it in their list of must-visit destinations!

We hope our list of fascinating facts about Niagara Falls was a pleasant surprise for you. How many of these facts did you know?

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