Deep in the lush mountainous forests of northern South America lies a mountain peak shrouded in mystery and stunning beauty, known as Mount Roraima. The shape of this mountain is exceptionally peculiar, appearing as if carved from a massive single rock formation, with almost vertical and smooth walls that create a sense of isolation in its unique geographical environment, making it a habitat for many endemic flora and fauna.
Mount Roraima, located at the tri-border area of Brazil, Venezuela, and Guyana, stands as the highest peak of the Pacaraima Mountains in the Guiana Highlands of northern South America, and it is also the largest flat-topped mountain peak in the world. The mountain features steep edges and a flat tabletop summit, stretching about 14 kilometers in length, 5 kilometers in width, with an altitude of 2,810 meters, primarily composed of sandstone and rich in mineral resources like diamonds and bauxite at its foothills.
Originally a vast shallow lake and delta, the landmass was uplifted due to tectonic movements, later eroded to reveal the mountain and exposed rock layers, with visible ripple marks on the rock surface at the summit indicating its past as part of a water body. Scientists believe Mount Roraima is one of the oldest geological formations on Earth, dating back to approximately 2 billion years ago during the pre-Cambrian era.
The abundant water vapor generated by the dense green rainforests of the Amazon jungle is blocked here, enveloping the already unusual flat mountaintop of Mount Roraima in perpetual shrouds of clouds, creating an ethereal, almost otherworldly ambiance. This enchanting landscape even captivated Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of “The Lost World,” a science fiction novel published in 1912, set against the backdrop of Mount Roraima.
Mount Roraima serves as the source of the Orinoco River system, the Amazon River system, and many rivers in Guyana. The mountain hosts over seventy magnificent waterfalls, with the most notable being the prototype of the “Paradise Falls” in the animated film “Up” (known as “天外奇蹟” in Taiwan) – Angel Falls. Plunging between high mountain cliffs, Angel Falls boasts an astonishing height of 979.6 meters, making it the world’s tallest waterfall.
Despite its high elevation, nutrient-poor soil, and sparse vegetation, Mount Roraima has formed a unique ecosystem, serving as a habitat for many endemic plant and animal species that have already vanished from other regions. The mountain is home to various fascinating and mysterious carnivorous plants, such as the Pitcher Plant, whose tube-shaped leaves resemble something out of this world.
Geologists and biologists estimate that there are still undiscovered species hidden within the mountain, as many areas remain unexplored.
While Mount Roraima’s grandeur and beauty are captivating, its rugged terrain has always been daunting, deterring climbers until the 19th century when Western scientists and explorers began surveying the area. In 1884, a British expedition successfully reached the summit of the mountain, discovering a hidden path that remains one of the safest and most reliable routes to climb Mount Roraima to this day. Today, this unique large flat-topped mountain is one of the most beloved and sought-after destinations for hikers and adventurers.
For the indigenous Pemon Indians of South America, Mount Roraima has always been considered a sacred site where deities reside. According to their beliefs, the mountain is the stump of a majestic and robust tree that once bore all the fruits and vegetables in the world.