One of the top destinations in South America
This magnificent array of waterfalls is located in Southern Brasil in the state of Parana on the border between Argentina and Brasil. They stretch for 2.5 miles plunging 269 feet (82m) into Iguaçu River. They are absolutely "deslumbrante." Numerous rocky and wooded islands on the edge of the escarpment over which the Iguaçu River plunges divide the falls into some 275 separate waterfalls or cataracts. The name of the falls comes from the Guarani Indian word meaning "great water." In 1986 Iguacu Falls were declared a Natural Heritage of Mankind by Unesco.
The vegetation of the region is rich and varied, ranging from semideciduous to tropical. Contrasts are also abundant, with orchids growing next to pines, bamboos next to palm trees, and mosses next to lianas and colorful begonias.
Taller than Niagara Falls, twice as wide with 275 cascades spread in a horsehoe shape over nearly two miles of the Iguaçu River, Iguaçú Falls are the result of a volcanic eruption which left yet another large crack in the earth. During the rainy season of November - March, the rate of flow of water going over the falls may reach 450,000 cubic feet (12,750 cubic m) per second.
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