Iguazu Falls
   Photo: Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls is located on the river of the same name in South America, on the border of Argentina and Brazil. The name Iguazu with Indian means "big water". Legend has it that when God wanted to marry a beautiful Aboriginal name Knipe, she chose to run away with another canoe. God was angry, divided the river and created the waterfalls, condemning escaped an eternal fall.

Iguazu Falls is deservedly called one of the 7 wonders of the world, because he is the most broad and powerful waterfall in the world (width reaches 2,700 meters). Options Iguazu sources indicated on - different height stages ranging from 72 to 86 meters. Information to separate and relatively wide and the water flow, some sources speak about 3 km, while others insist on 4 km. Water flow is indicated 10-14 thousand. Cubic meters per second.

Iguazu consists of a 275 two-stage cascade. The height of each is 85 meters. Information about the main stages as different: according to one of 28, on the other - 18-21. One of the main stages, located at the head of the arc is the border between Argentina and Brazil.

Spanish conquistador Don Alvaro Nunez Kasese de Baca was the first European saw a waterfall. He moved with a force in a westerly direction and after crossed the Brazilian Highlands, went to the waterfall. His name was immortalized on a stone slab near the cascade Arayagaray. Spanish conquistador was very religious, having seen such a big phenomenon of nature, he called it the Salto de Santa María (St. Mary's Leap). But the name did not stick.

Spanish court was not interested in De Baca report on the waterfall, and Iguaçu was forgotten for a few centuries. The first map of the area was drawn only in the late 19th century.

Who Falls - one of the most famous attractions of Brazil. For tourists who come here from around the world are laid bridges with total length of 2 km. They connect islands that protrude from the boiling water at the very precipice. One of these paths leads directly to the center of the flow, but it is not safe journey. Air shock wave can throw even approach very close to the waterfall jets.

All the waterfalls have their sonorous names. On the part of Argentina - Ramirez Arayagaray, two sisters, Belgrano, Mitre, Two and Three Musketeers, Adam and Eve, Rivadavia, Salto Escondido, and others. On the part of Brazil - Benjamin - Constant, Salto - Floriano, Unión and others.

To save the waterfall in the future, the Government of Argentina and Brazil issued a decree establishing the National Park Iguazú. From the 180 thousand hectares of Brazil entered the reserve. The Iguazu National Park grow iron tree, palm trees, home to tapirs, hummingbirds, monkeys and rare butterflies large.

Near the waterfall there is a small village a few hotel complexes, including hotels, bars, restaurants and the airport.

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Iguazu Falls