Thought by many to be the most beautiful in the world, the Iguazu Falls are one of the top vacation destinations in South America, and for good reason: they are breathtaking in scope, grandeur and majestic power and beauty. The following are but a few of the more interesting facts about this wondrous treasure.
The Iguazu Falls are not a continuous stretch of water fall. Depending on the flow rate in any given season, they are comprised of 150 to 275 individual falls that often appear as if they were combined.
The Iguazu Falls are located on the Border between Brazil and Argentina, and are but a few miles away from Paraguay. Each country's name for the falls is different. In Brazil they are known as Iguassu or Iguaçu. In Argentina, they are referred to as Iguazú, and in Paraguay they are called the Yguazú Falls. The name, roughly translated, means "Big Water."
First lady Eleanor Roosevelt visited Brazil in March of 1944. Upon seeing the Iguazu Falls for the first time she reportedly exclaimed, "Poor Niagara!" Niagara Falls is only half as wide as the Iguazu Falls.
The Iguazu Falls are the highlight of Argentina's Iguazú National Park, which was established in 1934. The park is surrounded by subtropical jungle. The region is home to over 2000 diverse plants, and numerous exotic and endangered animals such as giant anteaters, howler monkeys, jaguars, tapirs, ocelots, coati, tamandua, black-capped capuchin, Brazilian Otters, Harpy Eagles and Yacare Caimans.
The best "side" from which to view the falls is a subject frequently debated among travelers. The Brazilian view gives you the panorama of all the falls, as well as a dramatic close up of the primary waterfall. The Argentine side offers encounters with the fall that are "up close and personal" (be careful, a woman drowned in such an encounter in 2008) as well as the opportunity to interact with the surrounding jungle.
Iguazu Falls was short-listed in 2007 as a candidate for the New7Wonders of Nature by the New Seven Wonders of the World Foundation.
Thanks for the facts about Iguazu Falls. H5
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