The Iguazu Falls
The Iguazu Falls are one of the largest waterfalls in the world. They are situated at the border between Argentina and Brazil. They are believed to have been formed as a result of tectonic activity and powerful volcanic eruptions after which a large crack in the earth crust was created. Heavy rains created a river which brought The Iguazu Waterfalls into being. The water mass of Iguazu River falls from steep cliffs with an incredible power. There are innumerable streams and all of them form those magnificent waterfalls.
The Iguazu Waterfalls were discovered by a Spanish conquistador in 1541, while he was looking for gold of the Incas. Nowadays, more than a million tourists from all over the world visit Iguazu each year. Tourists have the opportunity to see more than 270 waterfalls spread across the territory of about 3km. The names of those waterfalls are very catchy and interesting: Adam and Eve, Two Sisters, Two & Three Musketeers, and so on.
Special observation decks have been built on the Iguazu River and near the bottom of the falls. For example, in Argentina there is a bridge which enables a spectacular view of the grand waterfall called The Devil’s Throat. This is considered to be one of the largest waterfalls in the whole Iguazu. Its height is about 80m and the noise it creates is compared to the sound of a thunder and human scream. There is the sensation that the ground is shaking and that builds up an incredible atmosphere. In the National Park of Brazil tourists can take a walk along the bridge built right above the water and see the gigantic waterfalls, hear their roaring and be splashed with drops of water. This deck is built so that it provides a 180 degree view, so that you get the impression that you are surrounded with water, but despite this adrenaline boosting perspective it is quite safe here. It is also possible to swim close to some waterfalls and be sprayed by the water. The air humidity reaches amazing 90% and during especially hot days clouds are formed.
Rainbows above waterfalls are a common sight as the air contains a large amount of water vapor. The rainbows in the Iguazu National Parka are all different and their structure depends on the size of the waterfall and the position of the sun. But there is an incredible phenomenon which can be rarely witnessed outside this area – a rainbow over the Iguazu Waterfalls during the full moon.
Both Argentinean and Brazilian part of the Iguazu Waterfalls and its surrounding area with lush rainforests are listed as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Those rainforests are a home to a very unique flora and fauna. Many animal species inhabit rainforests around the Iguazu River and among them there are the ones which are considered to be endangered or almost extinct. For example, the black-fronted piping guan from pheasant family, noted for its blue beak and red neck, is almost extinct due to hunting. Brown howler monkey is also endangered although it used to inhabit almost every part of the rainforest. There are also other exotic animals like the long-tail coati, jaguar, caiman, which all belong to species wanted for their skin, fur or even meat. In order to prevent poaching there are many patrolling forest wardens who take care of the wild life.
