Venezuela is to change the name of its world famous waterfall. Speaking in his weekly television programme on Sunday, President Hugo Chávez said Angel Falls, which is located in Canaima National Park in south-eastern Venezuela, is to be renamed Kerepakupai Meru.

The waterfall was named after United States aviator Jimmie Angel, who proclaimed its existence to the world in 1933. However, said Mr Chávez, the waterfall existed well before Jimmie Angel announced his discovery and that it should therefore be known by its longer-standing indigenous name.

At 979 metres, the waterfall is the highest in the world. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Photo of Angel Falls/Kerepakupai Meru from Wikimedia Commons