Which waterfall has the highest vertical drop in the world?

Angel Falls has the highest vertical drop of any waterfall, with a total height of about 979 metres and a main uninterrupted plunge of approximately 807 metres. It descends from the edge of Auyán-tepui in Venezuela's Canaima National Park.

The falls are fed by the Río Kerepakupai and ultimately connect to the Orinoco river system. Their isolated location in a vast tropical landscape makes access challenging: visitors typically travel to Canaima and continue by river or aircraft, with water levels affecting seasonal approaches.

A frequent confusion involves Tugela Falls in South Africa. Some measurements place Tugela's total multi-tiered height close to or above Angel Falls, but Tugela is divided into several drops. Angel Falls remains the widely accepted record-holder for the tallest single uninterrupted waterfall drop. The waterfall is also known by the Indigenous name Kerepakupai Merú.

The English name honours American aviator Jimmy Angel, whose 1937 flight helped bring international attention to the falls. The falls and their surrounding park were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.