What Is Iguazu Falls? A Bit of History and Relevance

Back to the basics! Learn what Iguazu Falls is, a little about its history, and why this natural wonder is so important to Argentina and Brazil.

What Is Iguazu Falls?

The Iguazú Falls are a system of waterfalls located on the Iguazú River, on the border between the Argentine province of Misiones and the Brazilian state of Paraná.

They are located within protected areas: the Argentine side is part of Iguazú National Park, while the Brazilian side is located within Iguaçu National Park. Together, they form one of the region’s major international tourist attractions.

The Argentine park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, while the Brazilian park received the same recognition in 1986. In 2011, Iguazu Falls were also chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

It is a unique natural environment comprising 275 waterfalls, around 80% of which are located on the Argentine side. One of its most impressive sights is the Devil’s Throat, the waterfall with the greatest flow. It can be viewed from a platform reached by a footbridge after taking the Ecological Jungle Train.

At Iguazu Falls, you can take boat rides under the waterfalls and walk along trails while observing some of the wildlife and vegetation of the surrounding subtropical forest.

Iguazu Falls is widely recognized as one of the most spectacular waterfall systems in the world and a must-see when traveling to South America.

The Iguazu Falls: A Bit of History

The area surrounding Iguazu Falls was inhabited thousands of years ago by Indigenous communities. Later, Guaraní groups settled in the region, bringing new agricultural practices. European explorers arrived in the area during the sixteenth century.

The Spanish conquistador Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca was the first European known to have documented Iguazu Falls, in 1541. One of the waterfalls on the Argentine side was later named after him.

Jesuit missions followed in the region beginning in 1609. In 1897, Brazilian army officer Edmundo de Barros proposed the creation of a national park near the falls. As the falls form part of the border between Brazil and Argentina, two separate national parks were eventually established, one in each country. Iguazú National Park in Argentina was established in 1934, while Iguaçu National Park in Brazil was established in 1939.

The Iguazú National Park was created in 1934 to conserve the environment and biodiversity surrounding the Iguazú Falls. The Iguazú National Reserve was later created in 1970.

In 1984, Iguazú National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Brazilian Iguaçu National Park received the same recognition in 1986, and in 2011 Iguazu Falls were selected as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

Why Is Iguazu Falls Important?

Iguazu Falls is a must-see destination in South America and a highlight of any trip to Argentina, Brazil, or both countries. It can also be easily combined with other major destinations such as Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires.

Its international popularity makes tourism around Iguazu Falls particularly important to the local economies on both sides of the border. At the same time, the surrounding national parks play an essential role in protecting the natural environment and biodiversity of the region.