Tourism

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The Grand Canyon is located inside the Grand Canyon National Park which is found in Arizona, USA. It is a steep-sided gorge with the Colorado River running in between. Aside from its beautiful physical structure, it has also a rich history wherein the Native Americans regarded the canyon as a holy site and made pilgrimages to it. From the picture above, you can see why it is known for its visually overwhelming size and its intricate and colourful landscape. Its rock layers record much of the early geologic history of the North American continent. According to studies, this landscape has existed since around 5 to 6 million years ago. A lot of infrastructures can be found along the south rim of the canyon like the Buck O’ Neill Cabin, Kolb Studio, The El Tovar Hotel, The Hopi House, Verkamp’s Curios, Grand Canyon Railway Depot, Lookout Studio, Desert View Watchtower and the Bright Angel Lodge. Aside from the usual sightseeing, activities like white-water rafting, hiking, running and helicopter tours are especially popular. In October 2010, the North rim will be the host to the ultramarathon. They also include sky walking and much more.

How long has the tourist spot been present? 5-6 million years ago
Is there a history to this place? the Native Americans regarded the canyon as a holy site and made pilgrimages to it

Done by : Eleanor

Grand Canyon at sunset

Grand Canyon in the evening

The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided gorge carved by the Colorado River in the United States in the state of Arizona. It is largely contained within the Grand Canyon National Park, one of the first national parks in the United States. The peak tourist season for the Grand Canyon is from June to September despite the July temperatures reaching 41oC or higher. The Grand Canyon is known for its visually overwhelming size and its intricate and colourful landscape. Geologically it is significant because of the thick sequence of ancient rocks that are beautifully preserved and exposed in the walls of the canyon. These rock layers record much of the early geologic history of the North American continent. The reason behind the formation of the Grand Canyon has caused much speculation. Many geologists have reasoned that the most possible cause is erosion by liquid water or ice. Several other theories involve flash floods, gravel, and the Colorado River drainage system.

Sources of information:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canyon
Site written by public.

2. http://www.pbase.com/ronhrl/image/98412839

http://www.pbase.com/ronhrl/image/120908945
Professional gallery of natural attractions.

3. http://www.hillmanwonders.com/grand_canyon/grand_canyon.htm
Website by author of travel books.

4. http://www.grandcanyontreks.org/geology2.htm
Article in New York Times by Sandra Blaksee

5. http://www.bobspixels.com/kaibab.org/geology/gc_geol.htm
Website on geology of Grand Canyon.

Other questions: 1) What is the tourist peak season for the Grand Canyon?

2) How was the Grand Canyon formed?

Done by,

Yee Cher Syn (4I); Angelica Ho (4T)

Labels: Eleanor Yee Cher Syn Angelica Ho

18:09

10 Comments:

I think this is a sports attraction because tourist usually go there to scale the mountains of Grand Canyon. But it is also a natural attraction because tourist also go there to experience the amazing landscape

By Suhmunyik's ♥, at January 18, 2010 at 11:14 AM

I agree with Wen Yi that this is a natural attraction but i think it can also be historical tourism

By Nguyen Tu Anh, at January 18, 2010 at 11:21 AM

I agree with Wen Yi's comment about the Grand Canyon being a natural attraction but just wondering, how often / many people actually go there to scale the mountains? it's pretty cool! =D

By Tourism With Ms Tham, at January 18, 2010 at 11:28 AM

it's a cultural attraction too as i have said some tribes have inhabited the place before

eleanor

By Anonymous, at January 18, 2010 at 11:30 AM

I agree that it is a natural attraction. I also wonder whether students (most probably American), would go there to study geography? hehe.. after all, it is a natural gorge. and it's amazing that it is one of the seven wonders of the world, isn't it?

Angeline

By Anonymous, at January 18, 2010 at 11:32 AM

I think it is more likely a natural attraction as it was formed naturally and the scenery is extremely breathtaking.

By Yee Jen, at January 18, 2010 at 11:33 AM

Again, we agree that Grand Canyon is a nature-based. Could it be educational tourism? Because we might learn the formation of this steep-sided gorge

By Mai Seto + Teri Ang, at January 18, 2010 at 11:34 AM

yes i agree with mai, we can learn geog there:)

By hien, at January 18, 2010 at 11:39 AM

I think most of us agree that the major classification of the site is that tourism there is nature based.

Yes, some people go there to do sports, but not the running or tennis kind...it's more extreme. Perhaps we can classify that as adventure tourism? People go there to do extreme sports because of the environment so I would still think that the broad category is nature-based tourism.

For the culture part, do people actually go there to visit the tribes currently living there? or do they go there to see where and how they lived? How can we differentiate between cultural and historical, or can they be classified together?

- Ms Tham

By Unknown, at January 18, 2010 at 11:41 AM

Conclusion : historical, nature-based

By Teri, at January 20, 2010 at 10:47 AM