gorge

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Narrow steep-sided valley or canyon that may or may not have a river at the bottom. A gorge may be formed as a waterfall retreats upstream, eroding away the rock at the base of a river valley; or it may be caused by rejuvenation, when a river begins to cut downwards into its channel for some reason – for example, in response to a fall in sea level. Gorges are common in limestone country (see karst), where they may be formed by the collapse of the roofs of underground caverns.

Red and blue were taken from the arms of Paris. White was the colour of the Bourbon dynasty. Effective date: 5 March 1848. >>