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Iguaçu
Falls – a candidate for the 7 Wonders of Nature
By Paula Mazulquim and Nádia Nogueira
See pictures
This 80 meter
high waterfalls is the largest hydroelectric plant in
the world and a national park which is considered one
of the largest forest reserves in South America are
what put Iguaçu Falls on the map of world tourism.
The Iguaçu waterfalls is one of the locations
chosen in the international contest, created by the
Swiss foundation “New Seven Wonders”, to
be officially considered one of the 7 Wonders of Nature.
Thinking of going on vacation and visiting Brazil this
year? You can visit the charming city of Iguaçu
Falls and see the waterfalls for yourself, the falls
that enchanted the director Francis Ford Coppola on
one of his many visits to Brazil in search of inspiration.
“It’s one of the most spectacular landscapes
that I have ever seen and one of the most incredible
places I have visited”, wrote the director in
his support of the Falls being a candidate for the 7
Wonders of Nature.
This is located west of Paraná, which boarders
Brazil with Paraguay and Argentina. Iguaçu Falls
is one of the most famous tourist sites in Brazil with
approximately 270 thousand inhabitants. The canyon formed
between the bordering countries measures 2,700 meters
in length and, depending on the volume of water, the
total number of waterfalls is 275. The largest waterfall
is the Devil’s Throat.
Protected environmental reserve
Declared as a Natural Heritage of Mankind, Iguaçu
National Park houses and protects extinct species such
as the spotted leopard, the yellow stomach alligator,
yacutinga and the royal hawk. The biological diversity
is vast. In total there are 257 species of butterflies,
18 species of fish, 12 species of amphibians, 41 species
of serpents, 8 species of lizards, 340 species of birds
and 45 species of mammals. All this just 17km from the
center of the city of Iguaçu Falls. It’s
worth the visit.
Itaipu: the largest hydroelectric plant in
the world
And to finish off your trip, don’t forget to
visit the Itaipu hydroelectric plant. A world reference
in using flowing water as energy, its turbines produce
25% of the energy consumed in Brazil and 95% of energy
consumed in Paraguay.
For more information:
Itaipu hydroelectric plant: telephone: 0800-645-4645
http://www2.fozdoiguacu.pr.gov.br
http://www.cataratasdoiguacu.com.br (also in English)
To vote for the Iguaçu Falls as one of the 7
Wonders of Nature:
http://www.votenascataratas.com/
Iguaçu National Park
Telephone: (0XX45) 3521-4400
Site: http://www.cataratasdoiguacu.com.br
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