Iguaçu Falls, Waterfall system in Paraná, Brazil and Misiones, Argentina.
Iguazú Falls is a waterfall system in the Brazilian state of Paraná and the Argentine province of Misiones, extending along the border between both countries. Hundreds of individual cascades drop at various heights into the Iguaçu River, forming a jagged line that runs through several kilometers of rainforest.
A Spanish explorer reached the falls in the mid-16th century as the first European and brought word of their existence to the outside world. The two national parks were established in the 20th century to protect the area and regulate public access.
Local boat guides bring visitors close to the cascades while indigenous Guaraní craftspeople sell their work in wood and ceramics along park trails. The name comes from the Guaraní language and means great water, a term travelers see throughout the bilingual signage.
Visitors can explore both sides of the falls in a single day, with each side offering different viewpoints and walkways that lead close to the spray. The nearby airports in both countries are about a half-hour drive away, with regular shuttle buses running to park entrances.
The horseshoe canyon called Devil's Throat collects several waterfalls into a single roaring chasm that sends fine mist rising continuously and creates rainbows in sunlight. This section feels louder and more intense than the rest of the falls, drawing visitors who linger to watch the natural display.
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