Niagara Falls, one of the most famous North American natural wonders,has long been a popular tourist destination. Tourists today flockto see the two falls that actually comprise Niagara Falls: the 53-meterhigh Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side of the Niagara River and5 the 55-meter high American Falls on the U.S. side of the river. Mostvisitors come between April and October, and it is quite a popularactivity to take a steamer out on to the river and right up to thebase of the falls for a close-up view. It is also possible to geta spectacular view of the falls from the strategic locations along10 the Niagara River such as Prospect Point or Table Rock, or from oneof the four observation towers which have heights up to 500 feet.Tourists have been visiting Niagara Falls in large numbers sincethe 1800's. Because of concern that the large number of touristswould destroy the natural beauty of this scenic wonder, the State15 of New York in 1885 created Niagara Falls Park in order to protectthe land surrounding American Falls. A year later Canada createdQueen Victoria Park on the Canadian side of the Niagara, around HorseshoeFalls.