Jane, our resident jet-setter, shares her favorite images from around the world with us - this time shining a light on Iguassu Falls, located on the border between Argentina and Brazil:
*This is an archived article. Since 22 October 2017, LFB is only focusing on Berlin-related topics. Please check out our new platform, YEOJA Magazine, for material like this.
Straddling the border of Argentina and Brazil, the Iguassu Falls is one of the largest waterfall systems in the world. You can view it from both Argentinian and Brazilian sides, but I liked the latter more; the walkway takes you right up close to the mists and the thunder of the water feels almost unearthly. I’m much more of a city explorer than a nature person, but even I can appreciate its well-deserved label as a wonder of the natural world.
Not yet 100% sold on visiting this massive collection of waterfalls? Well, here are some facts that might change your mind (in case for some really really strange and unexplained reason you still aren’t impressed by this natural wonder and already packing your bags and bee-lining it to the falls. Also, is it just me or are these falls clearly the inspiration behind the tropical landscape of Disney’s “Up”).
10 Facts about Iguassu Falls
- The Iguassu Falls are the largest waterfalls system in the world and divide the Iguazu river into the upper and lower Iguazu.
- There are numerous islands along the 2.7 km long edge which divides the falls into many separate waterfalls and cataracts.
- These separate waterfalls vary from 60-82 meters high.
- About half of the river flows into the Devil’s Throat (Garganta del Diablo), a long and narrow U-shaped chasm 150 meters wide, 700 meters long.
- Iguassu Falls was selected as one of the World’s Natural Wonders in a global poll.
- The name “Iguazu” originates from the Guarani or Tupi words “y” [ɨ] meaning “water” and “ûasú” [waˈsu] meaning big.
- Spanish conquistador Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca was the first European to record existence of the falls in 1541.
- Legend has it that a deity was planning on marrying a beautiful woman named Naipí. Consequently, Naipí fled with her mortal lover Tarobá in a canoe. As a result, the angry deity sliced the river which created the waterfalls and contemned the lovers.
- Iguazu falls is surrounded by one of the most biodiverse forests in South America
- The falls are visited by millions of tourists every year.
How to get here:
Iguazu falls are located 1,640 km from Buenos Aires and 300 km from Posadas. You can reach the falls by car, plane or bus. You can fly into Iguazu Falls International Airport from Buenos Aires (approximately one and a half hours). To arrive by car or bus take the National Road number 12. When coming from Buenos Aries, take National Road number 9 to Zarate, then National Road 14, and finally National Road 12 through Provincial Road 40.
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Photography: Jane
Sources: one two three
