In physical geography of landforms, which of the following waterfalls is recognised as the tallest waterfall in the world in terms of uninterrupted vertical drop?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Angel Falls in Venezuela

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Waterfalls are striking physical features that are often used as examples in world geography. Several waterfalls are famous for their width, volume, or scenic beauty, but only one is usually identified in textbooks as the tallest in the world when measured by total vertical drop. This question asks you to identify that waterfall from a list of well known candidates.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The focus is on the tallest waterfall by uninterrupted vertical drop, not on width or water volume.
  • Options include Angel Falls, Tugela Falls, Niagara Falls, and Victoria Falls.
  • We assume standard geographic descriptions used in exam oriented references.


Concept / Approach:
Angel Falls, located in Venezuela, drops from the edge of the Auyan Tepui and has a very great uninterrupted vertical fall, often cited as nearly one kilometre. Tugela Falls is also very high but is usually ranked below Angel Falls for single drop height. Niagara Falls and Victoria Falls are famous and impressive but are much lower in vertical height; they are notable instead for their width and water flow. Therefore, Angel Falls is recognised as the tallest waterfall in the world by vertical drop.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Angel Falls is commonly mentioned in geography and general knowledge as the world highest waterfall by total vertical drop. Step 2: Understand that Angel Falls plunges from the top of a sandstone tepui (table mountain) into the jungle below, giving it an extremely long uninterrupted fall. Step 3: Recognise that Tugela Falls in South Africa is very tall and sometimes discussed in technical comparisons but is generally ranked second or lower in popular exam references. Step 4: Niagara Falls, although impressive, has a height of only a few dozen metres and is known primarily for its width and volume of water. Step 5: Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River is also not extremely high but is very wide and is famous as one of the greatest curtain waterfalls. Step 6: Based on standard textbook information, the tallest waterfall is Angel Falls in Venezuela.


Verification / Alternative check:
Most basic geography texts and competitive exam guides list Angel Falls in Venezuela as the highest waterfall in the world, with a quoted drop approaching one kilometre. While there can be debates over exact measurements and definitions, these details are not usually tested at this level. For MCQ purposes, Angel Falls is the established answer, and other famous waterfalls like Niagara and Victoria are highlighted for different reasons such as width and flow, not height.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Tugela Falls in South Africa: Very tall but generally placed after Angel Falls in lists of world highest waterfalls; not the standard exam answer for the single tallest.
  • Niagara Falls on the USA–Canada border: Much lower in height; better known for its massive water flow and as a tourist attraction.
  • Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River: Lower than Angel Falls and widely described for its width and scenic grandeur rather than maximum height.


Common Pitfalls:
Because Niagara Falls and Victoria Falls are very famous, some learners may assume that one of them must be the tallest waterfall. However, fame and height are not the same. To avoid such mistakes, memorise the association between the phrase highest waterfall in the world and Angel Falls in Venezuela. Also note that waterfalls like Niagara and Victoria are more notable for their horizontal scale and volume than for their vertical drop alone.


Final Answer:
The tallest waterfall in the world by vertical drop is Angel Falls in Venezuela.

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