Let’s explore #2 – Foz do Iguaçu, South America

Approximately 3 years ago we went on a road trip from Uruguay to Foz do Iguacu, and then drove back home through Argentina. One week and 3.500km later, we had seen and experienced so much. It was truly an awesome adventure. The main reason for visiting Brazil’s Parana province was the waterfalls and the Itaipu Hydroelectric Power Generation Plant. The entire area surrounding the Itaipu dam as well as the waterfalls has been declared a nature reserve and falls under the Unesco World Heritage Sites. This city is among the largest cities in the province due to the steady stream of tourism it receives throughout the year. Hotels, as well as restaurants, are plentiful and public transport is easy around the city as well as to the various tourist sites.

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As far as landmarks go this is quite an important one, because not only do the Iguaçu and Parana Rivers meet here but also the borders of Brazil, Argentina as well as Paraguay. This Nature Park had its waterfalls selected as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. It protects many endangered species of fauna and flora, such as the Brazilian Jaguar and Araucaria. The spectacular waterfalls are made up of 275 individual falls the highest one named Garganta do Diabo which is apparently 90 meters high.

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The second largest Hydroelectric Plant for power generation in the world lies on the outskirts of the city. The generation capacity of the plant is 14 GW, with 20 generating units providing 700 MW each. It supplies not only portions of Brazil with power, but also Paraguay as well as Argentina, and by 2016 this plant produced by far the largest amount of electricity of any hydroelectric generating plants in the world. It’s well worth a visit. You can do various tours of the inside and/or outside of the plant. The tour operators are extremely efficient and everything runs like clockwork.

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Another wonderful attraction to visit is the Parque das Aves (bird park) located near the entrance of the waterfalls. The bird park encompasses some 16 hectares, which houses a huge variety of different bird species as well as an abundance of the most gorgeous and unusual butterflies. Besides birds and butterflies, they also have boa constrictors, iguanas, yacares, caimans as well as anacondas. Once done viewing all these incredible animals you can have a well-deserved coffee or lunch at the restaurant which is situated near the water where the pink flamingos hang out.

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With so much to do and to see it’s no wonder that Foz do Iguaçu was considered the 2nd most visited holiday destination by foreign tourists. The climate is warm, the people are friendly and the sites are breathtaking as well as spotlessly clean. What more can one ask for in a holiday destination.

Further facts and information with regard to some of the places mentioned can be cross-referenced at the following websites:
https://interestingengineering.com/top-21-dams-in-the-world-that-generate-the-highest-amount-of-electricity
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foz_do_Igua%C3%A7u
http://www.parquedasaves.com.br/en/

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All photos taken by @claudiaz with a Canon Camera.

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