Incredible Brazilian Landmarks, No 3: Iguazu Falls

Right on the border of Brazil and Argentina, the Iguazu Falls is one of the most scenic and beautiful places on the planet.

Sponsored by Pot Noodle Brazilian BBQ Steak Flavour This spectacular location has been used in a few familiar feature films, notably Moonraker, The Mission, Miami Vice and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Located in Misiones Province in the Northeastern tip of Argentina and bordering the Brazilian state of Parana to the north, Iguazú National Park, jointly with its sister park Iguaçu in Brazil, is among the world’s visually and acoustically most stunning natural sites for its massive waterfalls.   Across a width of almost three kilometres the Iguazú or Iguaçu River, drops vertically some 80 metres in a series of cataracts. The river, aptly named after the indigenous term for “great water” forms a large bend in the shape of a horseshoe in the heart of the two parks and constitutes the international border between Argentina and Brazil before it flows into the mighty Parana River less than 25 kilometres downriver from the park.   Large clouds of spray permanently soak the many river islands and the surrounding riverine forests, creating an extremely humid micro-climate favouring lush and dense sub-tropical vegetation harbouring a diverse fauna. The Iguazu Falls stretch in width for 2.7 kilometres (or 1.7 miles). Their height varies between 60 metres (200 feet) and 82 metres (or 269 feet). This makes the Iguazu Falls taller than Niagara Falls and twice as wide. A large proportion of the water is thrust down Devil’s Throat, a long chasm that is 82 metres high, 150 metres wide and 700 metres long. This chasm has a distinguishing U-shape. Interestingly, there are several islands within the river and the falls. Special walkways (pic above) have been built around the Iguazu Falls to allow visitors to get close up to this wonder of their natural beauty and power. A long pathway along the canyon (on the Brazilian side of the falls) is complemented by helicopter flips over the water to allow a completely uninterrupted, unlimited experience of the splendour of Iguazu. Busses of visitors arrive frequently, and travellers are encouraged to arrange such tours well in advance to secure their trip. Brought to you with thanks to Pot Noodle Brazilian BBQ Steak Flavour.