Iguazu Fallsar Attraction
Iguazu Fallsar (AR) (Iguazu Fallsar (AR)
Travel Guide and Hotels)
Situated in the Parque
Nacional Iguazú near Puerto Iguazú, these spectacular falls
lie just east of the confluence of the Iguazú and Paraná
rivers. At least 5000 cubic m (176,570 cu ft) of water per second plunge
the 70m (230ft) into the abyss below. If they look familiar, it's because
they were the supporting actors in the film The Mission; appropriately,
the area has historic ruins of Jesuit missions which also draw many visitors.
San Ignacio Miní, built in a style of architecture known as 'Guaraní
baroque', is especially popular. Above the falls, the waters are suitable
for canoeing, kayaking and other water sports. The surrounding park is
home to 55,000ha (135,850ac) of pristine subtropical rainforest, with
abundant wildlife and plant species.
Iguazu Falls, Iguazú Falls, Iguassu Falls or Iguaçu Falls are waterfalls of the Iguazu River on the border of the Brazilian state of Paraná and the Argentinian province of Misiones. The falls divide the river into the upper and lower Iguazu. The Iguazu River rises near the city of Curitiba. It flows through Brazil for most of its course. Below its confluence with the San Antonio River, the Iguazu River forms the boundary between Argentina and Brazil.
The name "Iguazu" comes from the Guarani or Tupi words "y" [ɨ], meaning "water", and "ûasú "[waˈsu], meaning "big". Legend has it that a god planned to marry a beautiful woman named Naipí, who fled with her mortal lover Tarobá in a canoe. In rage, the god sliced the river, creating the waterfalls and condemning the lovers to an eternal fall. The first European to find the falls was the Spanish conquistador Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca in 1541.
On November 11 of 2011, Iguazu Falls was announced as one of the seven winners of the New Seven Wonders of Nature by the New Seven Wonders of the World Foundation.
|
