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type: TouristAttraction
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title: Grand Canyon
description: The globally iconic geological landscape cut by the Colorado River, exposing billions of years of exposed strata.
llms_summary: "Grand Canyon. (Grand Canyon Village, Arizona, United States). TouristAttraction. Annual Visitors 5 million. Buffer Zone 0 ha. Category Type Natural. Conservation Status Excellent. Epoch Origin Precambrian to Paleozoic Strata. Latitude 36.05 °. Longitude -112.14 °. Primary Material Stratified Sedimentary Rock. Property Area 493k ha. UNESCO ID 75. Year Inscribed 1979. Best for structural stratigraphers, terrestrial geomorphologists, and landscape conservationists.  The globally iconic geological landscape cut by the Colorado River, exposing billions of years of exposed strata.  canonical profile on Chrisyst Datasets"
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slug: grand-canyon
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indexed_at: "2026-07-16T13:15:13.715Z"
license: citation-free
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    slug: grand-canyon
    name: Grand Canyon
    type: TouristAttraction
    profile_url: "https://datasets.chrisyst.com/grand-canyon/index.md"
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---
# Grand Canyon

The globally iconic geological landscape cut by the Colorado River, exposing billions of years of exposed strata.

## Record

- **Title**: [Grand Canyon](https://datasets.chrisyst.com/grand-canyon/index.md)
- **Geo target**: Grand Canyon Village, Arizona, United States
- **Website**: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/75
- **Address**: South Rim Entrance, Grand Canyon Village, AZ, 86023, United States
- **Coordinates**: 36.0544, -112.1401

### Summary

The globally iconic geological landscape cut by the Colorado River, exposing billions of years of exposed strata.

### Description

## Geological Marvel of the Colorado Plateau

Plunging over a mile (1,800 meters) deep, up to 18 miles (29 kilometers) wide, and stretching 277 miles (446 kilometers) long, the Grand Canyon is an unparalleled geological catalog. Its complex labyrinth of horizontal multi-colored rock strata preserves an intact chronological record of geological shifts spanning nearly two billion years, from the ancient Vishnu Schist at its base to the younger Kaibab Limestone at its rim. This immense chasm showcases a remarkable cross-section of Earth's history, revealing layers of sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks.

The Grand Canyon's formation is primarily attributed to the erosional power of the Colorado River, which has incised through the uplifted Colorado Plateau over millions of years, continuing to shape the landscape today. This vast elevation gradient supports a diverse array of ecosystems, ranging from desert scrub at the canyon floor to coniferous forests on the rims, harboring unique flora and fauna. The canyon also holds profound cultural and spiritual significance for several Native American tribes, who have inhabited the region for thousands of years, leaving behind archaeological sites and a rich heritage.

### Attributes

- **Annual Visitors**: 5 million _(quality 90)_
- **Buffer Zone**: 0 ha _(quality 10)_
- **Category Type**: Natural
- **Conservation Status**: Excellent
- **Epoch Origin**: Precambrian to Paleozoic Strata
- **Latitude**: 36.05 ° _(quality 50)_
- **Longitude**: -112.14 ° _(quality 50)_
- **Primary Material**: Stratified Sedimentary Rock
- **Property Area**: 493k ha _(quality 100)_
- **UNESCO ID**: 75
- **Year Inscribed**: 1979 _(quality 99)_