Long Description
The site consists of the national park and national reserves in
Misiones Province, north-eastern Argentina. The Iguazú River forms the
northern boundary of both the reserves and park, and also the southern
boundary of Iguaçu National Park World Heritage site in Brazil.
The Iguazú Falls span the border between Argentina and Brazil. Some
80 m high and 3 km wide, the falls are made up of many cascades that
generate vast sprays of water and produce one of the most spectacular
waterfalls in the world.
The vegetation is mostly subtropical wet forest rich in lianas and
epithytes, although the forests have less species diversity when
compared with others in Brazil and parts of Paraguay. Nonethless, over
2,000 species of vascular plant have been identified. Vegitation around
falls is particularly luxuriant due to the constant spray.
The fauna are typical of the region and include tapir, coati,
tamandua, raccon. The site is particularly rich in bird speices with
almost half of Argentina's bird species found there. Threatened mammals
such as the jaguar, ocelot and tiger-cat number among the carnivores,
and the giant anteater and Brazilian otter are also found. Primates
include the black-capped capuchin and black howler monkey. There are
also small populations of the endangered broad-nosed caiman and the
threatened Brazilian merganser (sawbill duck).
The first inhabitants in the area were the Caingangues Indians. This
tribe was dislodged by the Tupi-Guaranies who coined the name Iguazú
(Big Water). The first European to reach the falls was the Spaniard Don
Alvar Nuñes Cabeza de Vaca in 1541 and some 10 years later Spanish and
Portuguese colonization commenced. There are at least two sites of
particular archaeological interest within the park.
Source: UNESCO/CLT/WHC
