The Grand Canyon draws visitors from around the globe

Families, hikers, scientists and others stare over the landscape of one of the world’s seven natural wonders every day, but the Grand Canyon has a rich geologic and cultural history beyond its awe-inspiring beauty.

The Grand Canyon’s spot in the world sparked from … well, it depends on who you ask, but it was quite a long time ago either way. Some say it was created from erosion over time, carved into rock by the powerful Colorado River, and others believe the deep caverns stem from water erosion from the Christian story of Noah’s Ark, much later in time than scientists place the canyon’s age.

No matter how long ago it was etched in the landscape, there’s no denying the magnificence of the canyon, which has a rich history in and around its Arizona desert home.

“The Grand Canyon is one of the most studied geologic landscapes in the world,” the National Park Service states on its Web site. “It offers an excellent record of three of the four eras of geological time, a rich and diverse fossil record, a vast array of geologic features and rock types, and numerous caves containing extensive and significant geological, paleontological, archeological and biological resources.”

Scientists and students are afforded a wealth of information because they can see the rock layers on the canyon’s walls, which allow them to study the formation of the canyon during different time periods.

The Grand Canyon became a national park in 1919 when more than 44,000 people would come to see the canyon each year, but visitors have grown over the years to approximately 5 million people a year. There is evidence that the Grand Canyon was home to people for thousands of years and scientists have uncovered human remains dating back to the Paleo-Indian period, according to the NPS.

The Native Americans who lived in the area considered the Colorado River that runs through the valleys of the Grand Canyon a living spirit, according to a press release from the Museum of Science in Boston.

Today, there is much life in the Canyon from birds, bats and fish to reptiles, bears and bobcats.
“Its large size, relatively unfragmented and diverse habitat, and range of elevations and associated climates have made Grand Canyon National Park a valuable wildlife preserve,” states the NPS.

For those looking to see some plant-life, the canyon boasts more than the varieties of tan and rust-colored landscape many think of when considering the Grand Canyon. There are thousands of plants that have greens, reds, whites and more.
Whether people are visiting for the canyon’s rich cultural history, geologic history, animals, plants or sheer beauty, there’s much to be seen at the Grand Canyon for visitors year round.

“The Grand Canyon is a place of magnificent beauty, a place unlike anywhere else in the world,” the Official Arizona Office of Tourism Web site states. “It is a magnet that draws visitors from all over the world to take in the view.”