SPEECH FOR PRESENTATION: AMERICAN WEST. THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
Introduction
Now I will show you my presentation about the American West, the Rocky Mountain Region.
Slide 2. Introduction
The Rockies are among the earth’s youngest mountains. Because they are young, they are not worn down. They have steep slopes and many peaks and valleys. The mountains give the region spectacular scenery – and they limit economic development.
The region has some of the least populated states in the nation. Denver, Colorado is its only large city.
Slide 3. Things to do
I’m planning to visit the Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon is a deep, steep-walled canyon in northwestern Arizona, excavated by the Colorado River. The Grand Canyon is 446 km long, up to 29 km wide and more than 1,500 m deep. It is the deepest and longest canyon in North America.
Slide 4. Planning a trip and budget for it
I think that the best time for my trip will be spring. I’m going to spend 8 days on trip. I have 1729$ and it will be enough for all these days. I’m going to get to the Grand Canyon by bus. It will take me about 38 hours and cost 293$. The price includes 25$ roundship bus fare from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon.
As accommodation a have chosen campground in the park. It is the cheapest possibility and will cost me 15$ per night.
Slide 5. Activities
I will take a guided hike for 1 day because I want to learn about the Grand Canyon from an expert. I will receive all necessary things: backpack, sleeping back, tent etc.
Then I also want to take 2 – 3 hours jeep tour on the rim of the Canyon because I think that it will be breathtaking. I will also have an opportunity to see ancient Indian paintings or a trip to see Canyon on sunset. I think that I will choose the last one.
My longest activity will be raft the Colorado River. It will take me 3 days. But I’m not worry. I think that it is worthwhile to do it.
Slide 6. Did you know?
Finally I want to tell you some interesting facts about the Grand Canyon.
The first one is that The Grand Canyon is probably the world’s most spectacular example of the power of erosion. Scientists estimate Grand Canyon began forming 6 million years ago with the downward cutting (erosion) of the Colorado River, which flows through the Canyon.
The second interesting fact is that the Grand Canyon is a home to 88 species of mammals, 58 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 17 species of fish. There are more than 300 species of birds within the Park including the Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, the California condor and the raven (largest of crows).
Along the Southern Rim are several structures built by Mary Jane Colter and are on the National Register of Historical Places. These structures include the Hopi House (1905), Hermit’s Rest (1914), the observatory Look-out Studio (1914), the 70-foot Watchtower at Desert View (1932) with its hidden steel structure, and the Bright Angel Lodge (1935). The Bright Angel Lodge fireplace is built from different layers of rock. Each layer is taken from different geological layers of the Canyon.
Finally, in my opinion, the biggest surprise for tourists is Glass Bridge also called as “skywalk”. A new horseshoe-shaped glass bridge extends, or stretchs out, over the edge of the canyon. Tourists standing on the bridge are able to look down and see the Colorado River 4,000 feet below. That’s about four times the length of the Empire State Building from top to bottom!