| Name: | Iguazu Falls |
| Height: | approx. 80 meters |
| Width: | approx. 2.7 kilometers |
| River: | Iguazú |
| River length: | approx. 1,320 kilometers |
| Source x Flows into: | Serra do Mar, Brazil x Paraná River |
| National park: | since 1934 (Argentina) & 1939 (Brazil) |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site: | since 1984 (Argentina) & 1986 (Brazil) |
Iguazu Falls: One of the World’s Most Famous Waterfalls
Location: Iguazu Falls are located on the Iguazu River, directly on the border between Argentina and Brazil and not far from the tri-border area with Paraguay. On the Argentine side, they lie in the province of Misiones, while on the Brazilian side, they are in the state of Paraná. Here, the river forms the international border and also separates Argentina’s Iguazú National Park from Brazil’s Iguaçu National Park.
Significance: Iguazu Falls are among South America’s best-known natural wonders and rank among the most famous waterfalls in the world. Every year, millions of people visit the two national parks on the Argentine and Brazilian sides. In 2011, the falls were also voted one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature in a worldwide poll.
Geological Formation: The geological foundations of Iguazu Falls date back around 135 million years, when massive lava flows covered the region with thick layers of basalt. The waterfalls themselves, however, formed much later. Around 1.5 million years ago, the edge of the falls was still located where the Iguazu River meets the Paraná River. Since then, the water has continuously eroded the rock at the edge of the falls, gradually causing the waterfalls to retreat upstream. This headward erosion created a canyon around 21 kilometers long. Even today, the edge of the falls continues to move upstream by approximately 1.4 to 2.1 centimeters per year.
Impressive Scenery: Across a width of around 2.7 kilometers, the Iguazu River plunges over approximately 275 individual waterfalls and cascades. Some reach heights of around 80 meters, creating enormous clouds of spray. Their location in the heart of dense subtropical rainforest makes the setting even more spectacular. The lush green vegetation forms a striking contrast with the thundering masses of water.
Enormous Volumes of Water: On average, more than 1,400 cubic meters of water per second rush over Iguazu Falls. After heavy rainfall, this volume can increase several times over within a short period. During an exceptional flood in June 2014, around 45,700 cubic meters per second were recorded. The figure vividly illustrates the immense power of the Iguazu River.
Devil’s Throat: Devil’s Throat is the most spectacular and best-known section of Iguazu Falls. Here, enormous volumes of water plunge into a horseshoe-shaped gorge, creating dense spray and a deafening roar. On the Argentine side, a long walkway crosses the river and leads to an observation platform right beside the edge of the falls. From there, visitors can experience the immense power of the waterfalls from extremely close range.
Rainbows: Spectacular rainbows are often visible above Iguazu Falls. The fine spray fills the air with countless droplets that refract the sunlight. Under the right conditions, brilliant arcs of color appear above the waterfalls and the surrounding rainforest.
Tourist Activities: Boat tours are particularly popular, taking visitors very close to the thundering waterfalls and allowing them to experience their immense power firsthand. Helicopter tours are also available on the Brazilian side, offering impressive views across the full extent of the falls. Those who prefer to explore on foot can follow numerous hiking trails and walkways through the subtropical rainforest to a variety of viewpoints.
National Parks: Iguazu Falls lie within two major protected areas. Argentina’s Iguazú National Park was established in 1934, followed by Brazil’s Iguaçu National Park in 1939. Together, they protect an especially valuable section of the Atlantic Forest with an exceptionally rich diversity of plant and animal life. The Argentine national park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, while the Brazilian national park has held the same status since 1986.
Flora: Dense subtropical rainforest with more than 2,000 plant species surrounds Iguazu Falls. Ferns, palms, lianas, orchids, and bromeliads thrive among the tall trees. The constant spray creates an exceptionally humid microclimate, particularly on the islands and along the riverbanks. As a result, the vegetation immediately around the waterfalls is especially lush and diverse.
Fauna: The area around Iguazu Falls is home to an exceptionally diverse range of wildlife. Coatis, toucans, monkeys, and brightly colored butterflies are among the animals visitors are most likely to encounter. Waterfall swifts are particularly remarkable, as they even find places to sleep behind the plunging sheets of water. Caimans, tapirs, and anteaters also live in the rivers and more remote forest areas. Rare wild cats such as jaguars and ocelots are also native to the protected national parks.
Best Time to Visit: Iguazu Falls are worth visiting throughout the year. However, the period from March to May is particularly pleasant. After the hot summer months, temperatures become noticeably milder, while the waterfalls usually still carry plenty of water. April and May in particular often offer ideal conditions, with comfortable temperatures, lush green rainforest, and impressive volumes of water.
History of Discovery: Long before Europeans arrived, the region around Iguazu Falls was inhabited by Indigenous groups. The Guaraní lived here long before European colonization began, farming, hunting, fishing, and making use of the rainforest’s natural resources. To this day, several Mbyá Guaraní communities live around Puerto Iguazú and near the national park. The first known European description of the waterfalls comes from the Spanish explorer Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, who reached them in 1542 on his way to Asunción, where he was due to take up his position as governor. He named the falls Santa María. However, the name never became established. Instead, the Indigenous name Iguazú, which was already in use, remained.
Name: The name Iguazú comes from Tupi-Guarani and roughly translates as “great water.” In Argentina, the Spanish spelling Iguazú is used, while in Brazil the Portuguese form Iguaçu is used.
UNESCO World Heritage: Iguazu Falls lie within two adjoining UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Argentine national park was added to the World Heritage List in 1984, followed by the Brazilian national park in 1986. In the Brazilian national park, the so-called Estrada do Colono, an approximately 18-kilometer road running through the protected area, became a major source of conflict. It was closed in 1986 but was repeatedly reopened and used illegally from 1997 onward. Because of the threat this posed to the protected area, UNESCO placed the national park on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1999. In June 2001, the road was permanently closed. Authorities made the route impassable, removed three bridges, and planted thousands of native trees to help the damaged rainforest recover. Later that same year, UNESCO removed the national park from the List of World Heritage in Danger.
