An enormous country with a rich history, Argentina has too many charms to mention for the tourist, but one location stands head and shoulders above the rest. That’s Iguaz Falls, a natural feature unmatched anywhere on Earth. Argentina is blessed to have eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
According to Condor Tours and Travel the best time for American travelers to visit Iguaz Falls during Argentina’s “high season,” when temperatures range from comfortable to a bit on the sultry side. Tourists shouldn’t be overly concerned with the heat. For one thing, much of Argentina is quite temperate. Furthermore, it’s the best time for an American to take some time off from Northern weather, as the high season brings in its warmth while much of the USA is choked with snow and freezing rain. But even outside the high season in what passes for winter, Argentina rarely even gets as cold as counterparts in the Northern Hemisphere.
To human beings, the Iguaz Falls are an ancient site out of myth. Its geology reflects the epics that arise in our imaginations upon seeing its vastness. According to native myths, an angry god created the Falls out of jealousy. His lover rejected him for a mortal man, and when he separated them, he slashed the very river in half, eternally separating them. According to geologists, the Iguaz Falls are a remnant of the breakup of Pangaea, the primordial “supercontinent,” from about 100 million years ago. When Pangaea shattered, faults opened to allow lava – liquid basalt – the flow from the depths of the planet.
The modern Falls area is mostly composed of this volcanic basalt, shaped by erosion into the spectacle we see today: one that has been featured in countless films and television programs, often taking the place of an exotic tropical destination. Most recently, the Falls [blended and modified via digital effects] were used as visual references for the alien landscapes in James Cameron’s Avatar.
No movie can compare to seeing Iguaz Falls with the naked eye. The Falls occupy a visitor’s entire field of vision. In total, 275 waterfalls flow across an enormous horseshoe-shaped dividing line. The greatest waterfall and the centerpiece of the Falls as a whole is the “Devil’s Throat” at its heart. This waterfall marks the border between Argentina and Brazil, who share the Falls – though Argentina has better vantage points by far, and more access overall. Walkways allow tourists to explore the region safely, without disturbing natural features. Most of the waterfalls are over 200 feet high and a few rise as high as 270 feet. Covering about a mile and a half, Iguaz Falls is a day trip, nor a quick stopover. The truly adventurous can even attempt to climb is basalt cliffs in specially designated areas.
There are other beautiful places in Argentina, from its glaciers to its rainforests, but Iguaz Falls is the one mandatory destination. If you go to Argentina, you must see the Falls, because no matter where you go when you visit, your experience will feel just a little hollow without them. Don’t squander the opportunity.
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