RTI: Niagara Falls
By: Christine Hwang
Niagara Falls
The huge waterfalls on the Niagara River between Ontario and New York are famous for their width, beauty, and power. The Niagara Falls are a significant source of hydroelectric power; people around the world come to see it.
History of The Niagara Falls
Three waterfalls made Niagara Falls. The three waterfalls are the American Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. In 1678, Franciscan monk and explorer Louis Hennepin becomes the first European explorer to encounter the falls. Impressed, Hennepin estimates the fall to be an incredible 600 feet high - through in reality they rise 170 feet.
History of the Niagara Falls 2
Now one of the most famous tourist attractions in Niagara Falls, the Maid of the Mist makes its maiden voyage as a ferry, charging a fee to transport people, cargo, and mail across the river. When the completion of a bridge starts to erode business in 1846, the Maid of the Mist becomes a sightseeing boat, taking visitors close to the Horseshoe Falls.