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Mount Roraima: The Lost World at the Edge of Heaven
One of the planet’s most breathtaking natural creations, Mount Roraima rises sharply above the surrounding rainforest where Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana converge. At 2,810 meters (9,219 feet) high, this flat-topped mountain, also known as Tepui, features precipitous cliffs that drop more than 400 meters (1,300 feet) into the rainforest below. Myths, traditions, and even contemporary fiction have been influenced by its unearthly appearance — covered in clouds, with expansive plateaus and a primaeval beauty.
Mount Roraima is a geological wonder that is said to be over 2 billion years old, making it one of the planet’s oldest structures. Its table-like summit spans more than 30 square kilometres. Like a floating island in the sky, its flat summit is frequently shrouded in mist and rain. A unique ecology has developed as a result of the summit’s seclusion; many of the plants and animals there are unique to Earth. The nutrient-poor soil is home to ancient mosses, carnivorous pitcher plants, and black frogs, creating a living laboratory for evolution.
