Iguazu Falls, Brazil

Wonder: Iguazu Falls
Country: Brazil
Region: Foz do Iguaçu
Visitable: Yes
About:
Iguazu Falls or Cataratas do Iguaçu is one of the biggest and more beautiful waterfalls in the world. Also it is wider than Victoria and higher than Niagara.

One of the largest waterfalls in the world, Iguazu Falls is located in Iguaçu National Park in the extreme west of the State of Paraná, on the border with Paraguay and Argentina. As a matter of fact, Argentina has the major part of the falls and both countries have its own National Park that has a good diversity of wild life.

Iguazu Falls, also written Iguassu Falls or Cataratas do Iguaçu in Portuguese and Cataratas del Iguazú in Spanish, is one of the biggest waterfalls in the world. It is wider than Victoria and higher than Niagara, and more beautiful than either.

The water cascades down the river to the hundreds of lower falls. The majority of the downstream falls are on the Argentina side, so the best viewing is from the trails on the Brazil side.




The falls are made up of 275 separate waterfalls which occupy an area 3 kilometers miles wide and 80 meters high, providing a sensational sight. Each second the falls produces 450,000 gallons of water. Made up of many cascades producing vast sprays of water, it is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world.

The lush vegetation of the surrounding park is also home to many rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, including the giant otter and giant anteater. The subtropical rainforest has over 2,000 species of vascular plants and is home to the typical wildlife of the region: tapirs, giant anteaters, howler monkeys, ocelots, jaguars and caymans.

The most impressive section is called Garganta do Diabo (or Devil's Throat). This is a U-shaped section, 150m wide, and 700m, that forms the border between Argentina and Iguaçu Falls.

The best times to see Iguaçu Falls are in the spring and fall. Summer is intensely tropically hot and humid, and in winter the water level is considerably lower. Each year, millions of visitors gaze at the falls to see one of the most amazing natural shows with an unforgettable spectacle
HISTORY

Cataratas do Iguaçu was first seen by European people in 1542, when the expedition of Dom Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca found it.

Iguazu Falls, Foz do Iguaçu

The name Iguaçu comes from the native Guarani and Tupi language, meaning "big water" ("ee" = water, "guasu" = big).

Cataratas do Iguaçu Park; one of the most beautiful ecological reserves in the world, with 225 thousand hectares was founded in 1939 and designated by UNESCO such a World and Natural Heritage of Humanity Site in 1986.

By consensus, the Brazilian side of the border offers the best panoramas of the falls, even if the Argentine side provides better close-ups. Fauna, flora, and services are similar on both sides, but the Brazilian side has fewer easily accessible areas for roaming.

The Brazilian side of the falls offer excellent panoramic views and are best visited in the morning when the light is better for photography. The Brazilian side is also best for sunset views. A guided visit of the falls usually includes visits to the principal viewpoints on both sides of the falls, a zodiac trip upstream towards the falls, and a chance to hike some of the rainforest trails.