Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls - the third largest river in South America after the Amazon and Orinoco River, a tributary of the Parana, has its origins high in the mountains of the Serra do Mar to the east of Sao Paulo.
Passing thirteen hundred miles of virgin forests, it is converted into a powerful stream of Parana on the hill, through which rushes down about 70 waterfalls. Along the River Iguazu, it borders Argentina and Brazil.To the north of the river - Brazil, to the south - Argentina. The boundary divides the waterfall itself, and the National Park. At 26 km from the confluence of the Iguazu Falls are located in the Parana past waterfalls, which are so named - Iguazu Falls, or as they are referred to as the "Devil's Throat."According to ancient Indian legend, a brave soldier stole from his favorite god of the forest. As a result, the angry god of the earth broke down the direction of the river to the fugitives were unable to sail in a canoe, and were always doomed to fall in the circle he created the waterfall.The word Iguaçu and Indian origin. In the language of the Guarani it means great or big water. This name seemed the best way is to this mighty and majestic waterfalls.The Europeans discovered Iguazú Falls in 1541. Was it a European conqueror, Alvaro Nunez de Vaca Kavesa, wade through the dense thickets with a small detachment to the new town of Asuncion, and stumbled to the waterfalls are absolutely unexpectedly.The Spaniard recorded only in his own magazine, I found a great waterfall (he called it Santa Maria), and because the canoe had to be moved along the shore in his round. For several centuries, scientists have only visited a waterfall, while in 1916 the famous pilot aeronautics pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont did not flown over it on the plane.Santos-Dumont was so impressed by beauty of these places, which immediately rushed to the Brazilian Government to the opening of the National Park, which has now been in existence since January 10, 1939.In 1984, Argentine, and in 1986 - Brazil, part of the Iguazu National Park are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 Falls each second drops down from 3 to 10 million liters. water, depending on the season. The river falls into the groove with the 2-steep basalt steps, presumably formed 120 million years ago, in the form of a narrow horseshoe, with numerous streams and streams that are separated by rocky islands covered with lush tropical vegetation.The height of the waterfall over 70 meters total width of two steps - about 3 km. "275 separate streams and water jets tend down from a rocky plateau, accompanied by a large number of rainbows."During the dry season, a waterfall can be divided into two individual parts in the form of 2-crescents. Every half-moon - about a kilometer wide. Moreover, presumably once in 40 years of drought are such that the Iguazu completely dry. And then a huge waterfall is converted into an ordinary basalt ledge. The last time was in May-June 1978, when 28 days is not a single drop has fallen off a cliff. Although, certainly, to see such an empty canyon, knowing that it is virtually always filled with water, is also an incredible sight.There are, of course, and the powerful floods in the rainy season, when even the locals are in deep shock from this amount of water that suddenly falls on their heads.

 The largest part of the waterfall is located on the Argentine side, but it can be seen better with the Brazilian. On the part of Argentina can only look down, and from the whole panorama is available in Brazil.
Go to the waterfalls can be reached by land, air or water. This is true both for Argentina and Brazil for their parts. The fastest way - through the air. Almost at the very entrance to the National Park is a helipad, where you can make a seven-minute flight to the waterfalls.It is a means of transport - a helicopter - offers the opportunity to see Iguazu falls entirely. True, that would get on the seven-minute helicopter ride, will have about an hour to defend in the queue, waiting for his seat in a helicopter.
After enjoying the spectacle can go on mile footpath along the river, or rather above the river. In the course of a walk you can stay at several observation sites. At the end of the footpath which goes gradually down from the edge of the canyon you will come to a large area in front of "Devil's Throat", which is constantly hanging in the air spray and spray a rainbow.