The Iguazu Falls are a pair of waterfalls on the border of Argentina and Brazil that divide the Iguazu River into upper and lower levels. The Spanish explorer lvar Nez Cabeza de Vaca was the first European to see Iguazu Falls in 1541. The Iguazu waterfall system encompasses 1.7 miles of the Iguzu River and includes 275 waterfalls. The name Iguazu is derived from two words that mean “water” and “large.” These words do not do justice to the magnificence of this natural marvel. In 2011, Iguazu Falls was named one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.
There is a legend that describes how the falls came to be. A god was to marry Naipi, a lovely woman.
The god was enraged when this woman canoed away with her lover. The god became enraged and slashed the river, creating not only the falls but also condemning the two lovers to fall for eternity.
The falls are 1.7 miles long and are separated by islands along the edge. These falls range in height from 197 to 269 feet. Most of the falls are 210 feet tall on average.
The actual number of waterfalls varies depending on the water level and the amount of water flowing. At any given time, the number falls between 150 and 300.
The Iguazu River is accessible from three cities in three countries: Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay.
Water does not flow over 2,950 feet along the 1.7 mile section of the river that forms Iguazu Falls.
In 1541, the first European to see the falls was the Spanish explorer lvar Nez Cabeza de Vaca. On the Argentina side, one of the falls is named after him.
Argentina owns two-thirds of the Iguazu Falls.
Iguazu Falls has the highest annual average flow of any waterfall in the world, exceeding Niagara Falls.
Iguazu Falls is twice as tall as Niagara Falls and twice as wide.
The Iguazu Falls were formed by a volcanic eruption. A large crack was formed as a result of this eruption.
The water levels are at their lowest in the winter, and it is extremely humid and hot in the summer, so the best times to visit are in the spring and fall.
The rainy season lasts from November to March. Iguazu Falls can have a flow rate of up to 450,000 cubic feet per second at times.
The Devil’s Throat is the most impressive of the Iguazu Falls. It’s a U-shaped chasm with 14 falls that drop more than 350 feet.
The mist that rises from Devil’s Throat Falls can reach 490 feet at times.
Great Dusky Swifts are a type of bird that frequently nests behind the falls. They can even be seen diving right into the falls.
The rain forests surrounding Iguazu Falls are home to over 2000 plant species.
Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt, paid a visit to the falls. When she first saw Iguazu Falls, she exclaimed, “Poor Niagara!”
Iguazu Falls has appeared in a number of films, including Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Miami Vice, Mr. Magoo, and others.
On November 11, 2011, Iguazu Falls was named one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. It is also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
