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Iguazu Falls are waterfalls of the Iguazu River located on the border of the Brazilian state of Paraná (in the Southern Region) and the Argentine province of Misiones.
The waterfall system consists of about 270 falls, with heights of up to 82 metres (though the majority of the system is at a height of 64 metres) , along 2.7 kilometres of the Iguazu River. The Garganta del Diablo ('Devil's Throat'), a U shaped 150 metres wide and 700 metres long cliff, is the most impressive of all, and marks the border between Argentina and Brazil. Most of the falls are within Argentine territory, but from the Brazilian side (600 metres) a more panoramic view of the Garganta del Diablo is obtained.
Many Islands split up the falls, including several large ones. About 900 metres of the 2.7 kilometre length does not have water flowing over it. The first European to find the falls was the Spanish Conquistador Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, after whom one of the falls in the Argentine side is named.
The Falls are shared by the Iguazú National Park (Argentina) and Iguaçu National Park (Brazil). These parks were designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1984 and 1986 respectively.
The name Iguazu comes from the Guarani words y (water) and guasu (big). The legend says that a god pretended to marry a beautiful aborigine named Naipú, who fled with her mortal lover in a canoe. In rage, the god sliced the river creating the waterfalls, condemning the lovers to an eternal fall.
There are two main towns on either side of the Iguazu falls; Foz do Iguaçu in the Brazilian state of Paraná, and Puerto Iguazú in the Argentine province of Misiones. Other important tourist attractions near the falls include the Itaipu hydroelectric power plant, and the Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis in Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil.
 COMPARISONS TO OTHER FAMOUS FALLS
Upon seeing Iguazu, first Lady Eleanor Roosevelt reportedly exclaimed "Poor Niagara!" Vastly larger than North America's Niagara Falls, Iguazu is only rivalled by Southern Africa's Victoria Falls (this is excluding extremely large rapid-like falls such as Livingston de Chutes and Boyoma Falls).
Whilst Iguazu is wider because it is split into about 270 discreet falls and large islands - Victoria is the largest curtain of water in the world, at over a mile wide and over 300 feet in height (in low flow it is split into five by islands; in high flow it can be uninterrupted).
The water falling from Iguazu in peak flow has a surface area of about 1.3 million square feet whilst Victoria in peak flow has a surface area of over 1.8 million Square Feet (Niagara has a surface area of under 600,000 square feet). Victoria's annual peak flow is also greater than Iguazu's annual peak (9.1 million litres per second versus 6.5 million. Niagara's annual peak flow is about 2.8 million), though in times of extreme flood the two have recorded very similar maximum water discharge (well in excess of 12 million litres per second. Niagara's all-time peak was about 6.8 million). Surprisingly, Niagara discharges the most water per year as its water flow does not vary greatly. Iguazu and Victoria fluctuate enormously in their flow rate, and can almost disappear in the dry season. Mist rises between 100 and 500 feet from Iguazu's Garganta del Diablo, and over 1,000 feet above Victoria (sometimes over 2,000 feet).
Iguazu, however, affords better views and walkways and its shape allows for spectacular views. At one point a person can stand and be surrounded by 260 degrees of waterfalls. The Garganta del Diablo has water pouring into it from three sides, which makes for an exceptional sight. Likewise, because Iguazu is split into many (relatively) small cataracts, one can view these a portion at a time.
Victoria does not allow this as it is essentially one cataract that falls into a canyon and is too immense to appreciate at once (except from the air). Iguazu and Victoria are generally regarded as the world's most spectacular waterfalls, with people divided as to which is the more impressive.
As of July 24, 2006 a severe drought in South America has caused the river feeding the falls to become parched, reducing the amount of water flowing over the falls to be reduced to 80,000 gallons per second, down from the normal 350,000-400,000 gallons. It may be October before the falls return to normal.
From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia
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