The Iguazu Falls are one of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural sights. The horseshoe-shaped collection of waterfalls is sure to captivate you with their astonishing beauty, thunderous power, and soaking spray. So without further ado, let’s move on to our incredible Iguazu Falls facts that are sure to trigger your wanderlust.
20 mind-blowing Iguazu Falls facts
1. Where are Iguazu Falls?
Iguazu Falls is situated on the border between Brazil and Argentina, with the spectacular natural wonder shared between the two South American giants. It gets its name from the mighty Iguazu River, which crashes over a series of massive cliffs into the depths below.
2. How many waterfalls are there?
Depending on the time of year, there could be as many as 275 waterfalls, but whatever time of the year you visit, it will be spectacular.
So how do I see them all? You will see the best panoramic view of the falls from the Brazilian side, but if you want to walk over, under, and around the falls, the Argentinian side is a must. The falls are truly a wonder; I strongly recommend you take two days here and see both sides.
3. Wildlife, wildlife, and more wildlife
Iguazu Falls isn’t just a haven for tourists; it’s also a haven for local wildlife. The surrounding area is hot and covered in a thick, dense jungle, so some of the most curious animals in Latin America thrive here.
You are sure to see Coatis, an equally cute and pesky little critter that is a member of the raccoon family. They’re always on the prowl for food, so keep your eyes on your snacks! You’ll also very likely encounter monkeys, toucans, and maybe the most ferocious of all the local wildlife, the Jaguar.
4. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984
The Iguazu Falls are rightly revered as the most spectacular waterfall system in the entire world, thanks to the massive height and width of the system that dwarf even Niagra Falls.
More than this, however, the fantastic infrastructure at the site means that you can get up close and personal with the raw beauty and power of this force of nature. Because of its unbridled beauty and its cultural significance, it was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1984.
5. What does “Iguazu” mean?
In the local Tupi or Guarani language, Iguazu directly translates to “big water”. It’s a pretty fitting name, isn’t it?
Despite this, the Argentinian side was first named after the Spanish conquistador that discovered them, Alvar Nunex Cabeza de Vaco, all the way back in 1541. Personally, I’m glad the indigenous name stuck.
6. How much water actually flows over it?
Depending on the time of year, the flow of the falls can rise as high as 450,000 cubic feet (12,750 cubic metres) of water every single second. To put that into perspective, that’s more than five Olympic-sized swimming pools pouring over the falls every second!
If you want to see the falls at their most powerful, make sure you visit between November and March during the local rainy season.
7. How much bigger than Niagra Falls are they?
While Niagra is more visited and arguably more known, Iguazu trumps it in every single way. Iguazu is 1.7 miles wide, while Niagra is a comparatively meagre 0.7 miles wide. Iguazu is also 100 feet taller than Niagra.
In fact, when Eleanor Roosevelt was the first lady, she visited Iguazu. When she laid eyes on the torrents of water, she exclaimed “My poor Niagra”. https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/travel/2018/09/poor-niagara-falls-only-iguazu-is-among-the-new-seven-wonders-of-nature.shtml
8. Iguazu Falls produces electricity for Argentina and Brazil.
The governments of both Argentina and Brazil have recognised the potential for clean energy from the falls. As a result, they have harnessed the vast power of the cascading water to create a hydroelectric power plant, which accounts for 67.5% of Brazil’s clean energy. That’s eight times the energy it gets from natural gas!
To give you an idea of how vast this project is, the dams and various reservoirs measure 31 kilometres squared.
9. The falls were formed as a result of a volcanic eruption.
Iguazu Falls were formed as a result of a volcanic eruption that left a large crack in the landscape. However, there is a local legend that says the river’s creation was the result of an angry, scorned god.
According to legend, the gods fiancée Naipi ran away with her lover Taroba on a hand-carved canoe at the site, so he split the rivers, condemning them to fall for eternity.
10. A sea of rainbows
One thing every visitor is sure to notice is the collection of rainbows that continuously form at the site. They form because of the constant spray from the falls mixing with the abundant sunshine in the region.
11. Iguazu Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Since 2011, they have been named one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. They gained the prestigious title through an international competition in which people from all over the world participated.
Personally, I can’t think of a more deserving recipient.
13. The greatest attraction of the falls is Garganta del Diablo (the Devil’s Throat).
La Garganta del Diablo is the largest of the 275 falls at Iguazu and its greatest attraction due to its majesty. This waterfall is more than 150 metres long and at least 80 metres high, with an average flow of 1500 cubic metres per second. That’s more than 10% of the total flow in one waterfall!
You can best see the devil’s throat from the Argentinian side, where an accessible walkway takes you right to the edge of the fall itself. It is truly breath-taking standing on top of this and staring in wonder at the sheer force of the water in front of you.
13. 80% of the Iguazu waterfalls lie in Argentina.
Despite being split between Argentina and Brazil, it is not an equal share, as approximately 80% of the 275 waterfalls in Iguazu lie in Argentina.
Aside from The Devil’s Throat, many other falls have been given names. On the Argentinian side, one fall is named after the first European to set eyes on them, Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca. Others, like Bossetti Falls and San Martin Falls, are named after where they are located.
14. Iguazu Falls was featured in an Indiana Jones movie.
Iguazu Falls was featured in Indian Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008). But this is far from its only appearance in cinema; it has been featured in Mr. Magoo (1997), Miami Vice (2006), Moonraker (1979), and The Mission (1986).
Check out its appearance in Indiana Jones below!
Tip: This happens on the Brazilian side of the falls.
15. You can take a boat right to the foot of one of the falls.
That’s right! On the Argentinian side, you can take a small boat right to the bottom of one of the falls and witness their extraordinary beauty and power up close. You are sure to get very wet, so make sure you buy a poncho beforehand and sit on the right-hand side of the boat if you want to get up close and personal.
- It draws millions of tourists every year.
One could—and should—spend a few days absorbing this awe-inspiring spectacle and the myriad exciting experiences it has to offer. More than a few people do, with record attendance being set in 2018 with a staggering 1.9 million people visiting Iguazu National Park.
17. You can visit Paraguay from Iguazu Falls on a day trip.
Iguazu Falls sits very close to the tri-point of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. With the latter being easily accessible by walking across the International Friendship Bridge between Brazil and Paraguay.
The bridge spans the mighty Parana River, the second-largest in South America by both length and flow, beaten only by the Amazon. The Paraguayan border city of Ciudad Del Este is a visa-free and tax-free zone, so if you need any electronics, this is the place.
18. There are birds living inside the falls.
There is a species of bird called the Great Dusky Swift that nests on the rocks behind the falls; they can often be seen plunging right into the raging torrents. Their young spend the first six weeks of their lives behind the water, and in their first flight, they must take a leap of faith and fly through the wall of water to get their first glimpse of the outside world.
19. There are more than 2000 species of plants in the area surrounding the falls.
Apart from just being a visual spectacle, Iguazu harbours some of the most astonishing plant life on the continent—and the world. One such amazing species is the “Palo Rosa, or Pink Stick, which is named after the colour of its wood. It can grow as high as 40 metres, dwarfing even trees, but its numbers are in decline.
You can also expect to see abundant orchids, palms, and even the Ciebo, which bears a red blossom that has become the national flower of Argentina.
20. You can enjoy the thrill of a helicopter ride over the falls.
A helicopter ride over the falls will give you a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the 7th wonder of the world, which you won’t be able to get by any other means. You can opt for either a short 10-minute ride or a comprehensive 35-minute flight that covers the mammoth Itaipu Dam and Foz do Iguazu as well.
Tip: Try to sit next to the pilot in the front seat of the helicopter for unobstructed views over what is sure to be your favourite natural wonder.
Conclusion to 20 incredible Iguazu Falls facts
Thank you for reading my Iguazu Falls facts. Iguazu is without a doubt one of the best sights you can see in Latin America and the world, and no trip to Brazil or Argentina is complete without witnessing them.
