Iguazu: almost three kilometers of waterfalls in the Atlantic rainforest

In northeastern Argentina, in Misiones province on the border with Brazil, the Iguazu River tumbles over a basalt escarpment. According to UNESCO, the water drops about 80 meters across a width of almost three kilometers; UNESCO describes the horseshoe-shaped cataract as one of the largest and most spectacular waterfalls in the world. Argentina's Iguazu National Park was founded as early as 1934. UNESCO's data sheet gives the World Heritage property as 55,000 hectares.

UNESCO added the park to the World Heritage List in 1984 for its waterfalls and biodiversity. Brazil's neighboring Iguaçu National Park followed in 1986. Around the falls grows a remnant of the Atlantic Forest, which the spray bathes in a humid microclimate. According to the UNESCO report, it is home to more than 2,000 plant species, some 400 bird species such as the harpy eagle and possibly around 80 mammal species, including the jaguar, ocelot and giant anteater.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, the park counted about 1.64 million visitors in 2019, according to UNESCO, and just under 513,000 in 2021; most stay only one day. The volume of water varies: power plants upstream in Brazil alter the water level, and in 2014 an extreme flood reached about 46 meters above the normal river level. UNESCO lists upstream hydropower projects, regional deforestation, poaching and visitor pressure among the threats.