It's made up of a system of waterfalls or cataracts, with the exact number depending on the season. It spans an area 2. The tallest of these waterfalls, called the Devil's Throat, drops by more than 80 meters into a milky abyss that creates a permanent cloud of mist. To put that in perspective, Iguazu Falls is nearly twice as tall as Niagara Falls and rivaled only by Zambia and Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls, which is taller at meters.
It's nearly three times as wide as Niagara Falls and significantly wider still than Victoria Falls. The amount of water pouring from these falls to the Iguazu River is equally staggering. On average, about 1, cubic meters of water flows every second. Depending on the time of the year, the rate of water flow can be as much as 13, cubic meters per second -- enough to fill five Olympic swimming pools -- especially during the rainy months of November to March.
It's little surprise then that the river that the water flows into, as well as the waterfalls, are both named Iguazu, which literally means "big water" in native Guarani Indian language. Endless superlatives. In , it was selected as one of the winners of the New Seven Wonders of Nature competition.
It's easy to see why it's piling up awards and accolades. It's located within one of the few remaining inland rainforests in South America, the Atlantic rainforest, which has been wisely preserved by both Argentina and Brazil. The lush, subtropical national parks surrounding it are teeming with wildlife. This is a haven for more than 2, plant species, about bird species, 80 types of mammals and countless insects and invertebrate species.
According to local tour guide Francis Almeida Barros, it's not uncommon here to encounter colorful toucans, monkeys and even jaguars on the way to the waterfalls.
This jungle experience, albeit briefly, sets Iguazu Falls apart from its more popular global rival. Many would claim, that Iguazu Falls is the most beautiful waterfall in the world.
It is possible to see moonbows, which are rainbows created by the mist of the falls and the light of the moon. Hiking amongst the falls is the primary activity of the national park, however there are other ways to engage Iguazu Falls and the rainforest that surrounds it.
Enjoy a thrilling speed boat tour of the river below the falls. You will get to see the falls from a new perspective. Be ready, because your captain is going to drive you into the falls and you will get wet, or should we say soaked.
You can take a river rafting trip which starts near the falls and travels down the river between the canyon walls. Depending on the water levels, this can be a fun adventure. After visiting Devil's Throat, you can opt to take a float trip on the river above the falls. Your guide will take you in and out of islands allowing you to see different facets of nature along the way. This is a relaxing trip enjoying the river and forest. Take a train ride to the top of the falls where you can see directly into Devil's Throat and the canyon below.
You can also access other activities like a float trip on the river. You can hike below the falls, on top of the falls, around the rainforest, and out to Devi's Throat which is the highest point of the falls. Hiking allows you to experience up-close views of the falls as well as other postcard worth views.
The Upper Circuit is distinguished by trails sitting on top of the falls and looking out over the waterfall edges. The first lookout occurs at Mbigua Waterfall. Then the trail crosses the river to look out over San Martin Waterfall which is the second largest of the falls. The upper trail travels a distance of about 1-mile feet 1. Picturesque postcard views. The Lower Circuit features a trail that meanders through the forest providing different views of the falls from below.
The falls flow at a maximum rate of 12, cubic meters per second and a minimum of 1, cubic meters per second. However, the place was forgotten for decades after the Spanish Crown expelled the Jesuits. With more tourists visiting the falls, the surrounding area was designated as Iguazu National Park in In , about 1.
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