When people visit the Gran Canyon they are struck by the view down. What they don't realise is that the floor of the Grand Canyon is a normal land height. What they have done as they drive to the Grand Canon rims is to go up to a staggering 8000ft/2,400m above sea level, that is they are standing on a flat plateau that is higher than most mountain summits.


It's all very weird. The floor is at 2,600ft/800m above sea level. The Grand Canyon is immense, not just in depth, but also in width and length. It is 277mi/450km long and at its widest it is 20mi/30km. It is one of the greatest obstacles to travel in the Southwestern United States, as you will find if you try to drive from the South Rim to the North Rim (which has to be done via Page, Arizona).