Waterfalls are often measured in different ways. Some are known for the volume of water they carry, others for their width, and a few for the sheer distance water travels before reaching the ground. Because of those differences, deciding which waterfall deserves the title of the world's tallest is not always as straightforward as it appears.
For decades, one name has dominated that discussion. Hidden within the remote landscapes of southeastern Venezuela, a waterfall plunges from a towering sandstone plateau and disappears into rainforest far below. Its setting is so isolated that reaching it still requires a journey through wilderness that remains largely unchanged from the time when the falls first became known to the wider world. The waterfall's extraordinary height has made it one of the planet's most celebrated natural landmarks and a symbol of Venezuela's unique landscapes. Rising from the summit of Auyán-tepui, it continues to attract scientists, adventurers and travellers interested in its geology, biodiversity and the remarkable processes that shaped one of Earth's oldest landscapes.
