|
 Listed
as a World Natural Heritage site in Unesco's World Heritage Sites
since 1986, the Iguassu National Park is home to one of the world’s
largest and most impressive waterfalls. The park is home to many
rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, among them, the
giant otter and the giant anteater. The huge clouds of spray
produced by the waterfalls are conducive to the growth of luxurious
vegetation.
The
falls at Iguazu are four times wider than Niagara Falls in the
United States, and are undoubtedly the most spectacular in South
America. Located
on the border between Brazil and Argentina, Iguazu
Falls
is one of
the most visited sites in the continent and Brazil. We recommend visiting the
area for at least 2 to 3 nights in order to get an in-depth view of
the natural beauty of the Falls and the surrounding forest and
attractions.
 Starting its course near the Atlantic
seaboard, the Iguazu river crosses the western highlands of
the states of Sao Paulo and Paraná and arrives at the edge
of the plateau to discharge its waters at a rate which can
reach 150,000 m³ per second. Various islands divide the
colossal flow into 275 separate cataracts, ranging from 60
to 80 meters in height, with the refracted spray rising to
more than 150 meters. The best known islands - San Martin
and Isla Grande - are on the upper river, dividing it into
two arms, which join together again immediately afterwards.
The river then falls over rough formations of basalt and
lava until it thunders into the Devil's Throat. From there
it continues until it flows into the Paraná river and from
there, via the Paraguay river, contributes to the formation
of the Plate Basin.
The region comprises the
Argentinean national park,
created in 1934 and covering 50,000 hectares, and the
Brazilian national park, created in 1939 and covering
170,000 hectares. The Brazilian side embraces four
municipalities, including Foz do Iguaçu, a name of
indigenous origin meaning big water.
The experience of living with the forces of nature and
the scintillating and eternal spectacle of the waters
combines with the exuberant tropical vegetation, which is
home to various endangered species. In the park - where
hunting is prohibited but fishing allowed - the forest
itself is not a bit inferior to the
Amazon forest. |
