merú

Merú, also known as Mount Roraima or Roraima Tepui, is a tabletop mountain or tepui located in the Guiana Highlands of South America. It stands as a natural border between Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana. The summit of Merú is a vast, flat plateau, roughly 2,700 meters (8,800 feet) above sea level, characterized by its ancient sandstone rock formations, unique flora, and endemic fauna. The sheer, vertical cliffs surrounding the plateau make it exceptionally difficult to ascend.

The tepui's isolation has led to the evolution of numerous plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth. Its distinctive ecosystem includes carnivorous plants, rare orchids, and various reptiles and amphibians. Merú is also a significant source of waterfalls, with the highest being the Angel Falls, the world's tallest uninterrupted waterfall, which plunges from the edge of Auyán-tepui, a neighboring tepui.

Geologically, Merú is composed of Precambrian sandstone, some of the oldest rock formations on the planet. Its formation is believed to be the result of erosion that has carved away the surrounding softer rock, leaving these massive, isolated mesas. The tepui's striking appearance and its role in inspiring Arthur Conan Doyle's novel "The Lost World" have cemented its status as a place of wonder and scientific interest. Access to Merú is typically through guided expeditions, often involving hiking and sometimes helicopter tours.