Niagara Falls is the waterfall system on the United States–Canada border that includes Horseshoe, American and Bridal Veil Falls.
The falls are on the Niagara River, which drains Lake Erie into Lake Ontario. Horseshoe Falls is mostly in Canada, while American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are in the United States. Their names refer to the shape of the main cataract and the smaller American-side falls.
Niagara became a major tourism destination in the nineteenth century and has also been an important source of hydroelectric power. The river’s steep drop was created as erosion cut backward through resistant rock layers after the last Ice Age.
A common mix-up is treating Niagara Falls as one single waterfall. It is a group of three major falls, although “Niagara Falls” is the standard name for the entire landmark.