Waterfalls are a thing of beauty and an enchanting part of Mother Nature that astounds and awes anyone in their midst. It doesn't matter whether it's a gentle cascade that gives way to a stream below or a roaring fall that makes us feel just as nervous as it does mesmerize. There's something about these tremendously powerful forces of nature that compel us to seek them out and wonder at their sheer existence, so much so that they've become the subject of many a song and poem. While they're easily immortalized in literature, it's the breathtaking notion that many of the world's waterfalls are humbling even to the most egotistical of humans, with many people traveling solely for the sake of having the chance to see one in person.
With that being said, the question must be asked: which of the world's waterfalls are the largest? Which are the most powerful and most breathtaking, and which are the ones that can make an impact on the soul of a person? Interestingly enough, the largest waterfall in the world can only be seen if one leaves the land... and as for the rest, their power is almost equally matched.
Denmark Strait
The span of water between Greenland and Iceland holds a secret and its within the Denmark Strait that the world's largest waterfall can be found. While it might sound like a contradiction to have a fully-functioning, moving waterfall underneath the water, science has proven that it does, indeed, exist.
The separation of warm and cool water causes warm water to remain at the top near the surface of the water while rapidly cooling water sinks to the bottom and is forced over the Denmark Cataract, which is 11,500 feet in height. As this water is forced over the Cataract, it settles to the bottom, cascading in very much the same way that a waterfall on land would.
Inga Falls
Inga Falls has a width of 3,000 feet across which makes it unbelievably expansive but that, combined with varying heights of 70 to 315 feet, over the span of nine miles, makes this waterfall truly impressive.
These rapids are found in the Congo River and the sheer power and force of this waterfall are enough to make anyone think twice before taking a dip or white water rafting down any of its nine-mile-waterway. The waterfall gives way to hundreds of different channels making it just as vast as it is powerful.
Niagara Falls
Most people are familiar with Niagara Fall and its U.S. and Canadian representation but when touring it, many people don't realize that this is actually one of the largest waterfalls in the world.
The waterfall is nearly 4,000 feet across and while it's not the tallest, it does hold the most volume of water that passes down its cascade each day. The waterfall itself gives way to three different actual falls, one each on the Canadian and American sides, and Bridal Veil Falls.
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is the type of waterfall that makes many people question how something so incredible could be formed in such a perfect way. The height of this waterfall is 5,600 feet and is found on the Zambezi River, and the waterfall's tremendous overflow cascades down 344 feet into a deep gorge.
The gorge itself was made from volcanic dikes, and the power behind the water overflow is so strong that it sends mist flying up as far as 100 feet above the actual waterfall, making for quite a spectacle to those who get close enough to witness it.
Chutes De Khone
This waterfall is also known by the name of Khone Falls and it's one of the most expansive above-ground waterfalls in the world. With an unbelievable width of 35,376 feet across, this waterfall has a brilliant expanse that's both breathtaking and somewhat terrifying. This waterfall is part of the Mekong River and while it has various dropoff points and waterfall cascades, one of the most impressive is that which falls at a height of 45 feet with a 60-degree angle.
Other, steeper parts of the waterfall reach heights of 69 feet, but the actual waterfall and its channels - of which there are seven in total - take the title as being the largest in the world. Throughout this waterfall and its river system, various rapids can be seen and the waters within them are tumultuous and powerful. Were it not for the underwater waterfall in the Denmark Strait, Chutes de Khone would undoubtedly be the most impressive.