Iguassu - the majesty of natures power!

The Iguassu Falls are spectacular. Twice as wide as North America’s Niagara Falls and rivalled only by Africa’s Victoria Falls, Iguassu thunders over the border between Argentina and Brazil. It is among common folklore that Lady Eleanor Roosevelt exclaimed “Poor Niagara!” when she encountered the tumbling cascade the first time. It is most likely to be a very common sentiment to be felt.

This is because the much loved but very imposing falls never ceases to leave visitors in awe. It is this exact overwhelming sense of nature’s power that continues to bring hoards of visitors from around the world each year to admire the ecosystem that engulfs more than 2.7 kilometres of South American cliff.

In the minds of travellers from around the world, the section of the falls that are most significant is the aptly-named Devil’s Throat. The U-shaped 150-metre wide, 700-metre long cliff is the most impressive section of cliff to be found along the whole stretch. It is commonly said that while the Argentines have more of the Iguassu territory, Brazilians have the best view of the Devil’s Throat. Of course, the Argentines disagree.

But even before the travellers get to hear the thunder in their ears and feel the rumble through their feet, they will have to travel through the natural wilderness that is Iguaçu National Park. Many travellers who are heading to the falls will most likely travel from the main town of Foz do Iguaçu as a first stop before traveling into the lush forests of Brazil’s spectacular Iguaçu National Park (as opposed to Argentina’s Iguazú National Park). The region has proven itself to be more than just a thundering waterfall; many travellers from around the world can be found trekking through the forest greenery that is so famed that it has made it onto the exclusive list of designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The falls are a part of a practically virgin jungle ecosystem that is protected by both countries on either side of the falls and proves to be a difficult trek for even the expert traveller. This is why it is not always the preferred choice of exploration for all travellers.  The trip through the jungle is quite breathtaking, but the offering of helicopter rides over the falls and boat trips out to the tumbling cascade is much more comfortable.

Tens of thousands of people visit the region each year. Be one of them to feel a splash of misty water flying from the collision of two countries. For more information about visiting Iguassu or travelling through Brazil, visit the Brazil Tourism website at www.braziltourism.org.