Customs and Traditions of site

There are a couple traditions that are celebrated in Iguazu Falls. In June, the San Juan Celebration is hosted in Iguazu Falls. This is the main tradition celebrated here. It is a

Christian-Pagan celebration that commemerates John the baptist. People dress up in costumes and eat

traditional Paraguayan foods. There is also dancing and games that goes along with the celebration. The

exact date of this is actually June 24, but the celebrating goes on throughout the entire month of June. If

you plan on visiting, this is a great time to do so.

There is also the Provinicial Fest of Tourism that goes on in December. This is where awards are

given to some of the most representitive firms of tourism. The awards are the "Luis Rolon," and

"Eduardo Krunkamp."

Cultural Impact of site

About 1,000 years ago, it is said that Gaurani natives once lived around the Iguazu waterfalls. This was the

heart of the Gaurani world. Through them, several folk tales have been created about how the Iguazu Falls

was formed. There is one folk tail that says there once was a maiden named Naipi who lived in a village by

the Iguazu River. She was so beautiful that even a god fell in love with her. He disguised himself as a boy

and asked her to marry him. The problem was, Naipi was already in love with a man named Taroba.

The couple fled down the river in a canoe to escape. The god was so outraged he sliced the river, created

the cataracts and waterfalls we see today. This story has been passed around through many generations,

thanks to the Gaurani natives.

Brief History of site

The Discovery of Iguazu Falls dates far back when the Gaurani natives lived along it. Later, in

1541, a Spanish Explorer named Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca became the first European

explorer to see it. Since then, the waterfall has come a long way. In 1984, the Iguazu National

Park of Argentina was declared a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultrual

Organization) heritage site. Then, two years later, the Iguazu National Park of Brazil was

declared this. In 1991, the Itaipu hydroelectric power plant was created between Paraguy and

Brazil for the waterfalls to feed into it. Today, Iguazu Falls is one of the most astonishing sights

of the world.

Describe Climate of site

The climate in Iguazu Falls is mainly subtropical, with hot and humid summers, and cold winters.  It does rain

in every month, but July and August see the least rain, and occasionally you may see a few thunderstorms. 

The best time to visit the waterfall is during the Cool season.  The Cool season lasts from May to August,

and during this time, the water falls down heavier, creating a more spectacular sight. 

Economic Impact of site

Since there are so many tourists coming in each year, there is a lot of income that comes in from Iguazu Falls.

Costs for boat tours, one of the most popular things to do here, is 45 pesos, or 3 US dollars. This

tour lasts for 10-12 minutes

Longer boat tours around the waterfall costs 100 pesos, or 7 US dollars. With the massive number of tourists that visit

here every year, the Income ranges somewhere between $6,000,000-$14,000,000 per year.


Much of this income goes to Puerto Iguazu, a lodging spot that many tourists choose to go to visit. All of the

income money that comes into this lodge comes from Iguazu Falls, making it a great spot for anyone coming

to visit.

Physical Features of site

There are 275 total waterfalls that make up Iguazu Falls. Some of the most well known

individual waterfalls are the Devil's Throat, San Martin, Bossetti, and Bernabe Mendez. In

addition to the waterfall itself, Iguazu Falls has hiking trails that wind around it for people

to use.

City and Country

Iguazu Falls is located on the border between Argentina and Brazil on the province Misiones and state Paraná.

Unique Characteristics of site

There are many seperate waterfalls within Iguazu Falls. Most of the waterfalls measure to

about 210 feet, but the Devil's Throat is the largest waterfall in Iguazu Falls. It measures at 269

feet, with a width of 490 feet, and a length of 2,300 feet.


As a whole, Iguazu Falls stretches across for 1.67 miles. This distance is four times the with of

Niagra Falls. In fact, upon first seeing this impressive waterfall, this was large enough to make

Eleanor Roosevelt say, "Poor Niagra!"

Social Impact of site

About 2 million people per year visit Iguazu Falls. It is rated the #1 waterfall in the world, in

front of Victoria Falls, Angel Falls, and even Niagra Falls. Most of the visitors come from Brazil

and Argentina, but Iguazu Falls has been growing more popular in even other continents, like

North America and Europe.


While visiting, often people spend time going white-water rafting, hiking on one of the trails,

and mountain biking.