This will be part of the Study Guide For the State Challenge On July 9,2022,
Please also see My First tourist day and
A little geography first Niagara Falls Canada is directly west of the USA, I know when we look at maps Canada is North of USA. The two borders and countries and separated by the Niagara river which runs from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario.
The river is unnavigable so they had to build the Welland canal for ships to pass thru and navigate the great lakes. Construction started in 1833 and ongoing work and expansion have gone on for years. There are 8 locks on the canal and it takes the average ships about 8 hours to pass thru all.
The first Bridge to connect the 2 countries was built in 1869.
There are actually 3 falls, Horseshoe falls on the Canadian side and Niagara and the smaller Bridal Veil falls on the American side. The height of the falls is approximately 175 feet and approximately the same size as leaning tower of Pisa. The falls erode about 30 centimetres or one foot every year. At night and in the winter time they restrict the amount of water to help with erosion concerns. In 1969 they stopped the flow of water to do some major erosion work. They plan to do it again in a few years.
In 1848 Niagara falls actually froze over, a log jam upstream caused a back up and stopped the flow.
In the early 1900s tourists flocked to the region and both sides of the falls enjoyed the boon. It was given the nickname the honeymoon capital of the world. After the second world war it had more hotels/motels than anywhere in North America.
Beside the tourism industry the falls produces tremendous amount of hydropower. There numerous plants along the river . Also because of the climate, the humidity and the gravelly soil The Niagara region has become famous for its wine growing and winery’s industry. They specialize in an Ice wine despite Canada’s harsh winter. There is more money in growing wine grapes than fruit, so the majority of farms have turned to growing wine grapes rather than peaches. Wine tours a big popular thing now and fun to do
The Fall are illuminated every night and this year they have returned the fireworks display which runs every night from May to October, If you have the opportunity to stay in the falls make sure you get a hotel facing the falls to enjoy the fireworks. The display is amazing.
Many people have gone over the falls in many contraptions most of them didn’t make it. Unfortunately about 40 people lose their lives yearly at the falls, a lot are suicides. In 2012 the famous Nick Wallenda got permission from both countries to cross over the river a tight rope, WOW. The rope. The length of the rope was 180 feet long.
Before co-vid there were over 30 million visiting the area on a yearly basis. There is so much to do and see in the area, I could write many posts on what to do or see.
Clifton hill is the entertainment capital of the area . you can see much more on my other links mentioned at the top of this post. The first hotel was built in 1833 and I did want to mention its home to Canada’s largest mini golf course which encompasses over 70,000 sq. feet. The Dinosaur mini golf.
