Parc national d'Iguaçu

Photo : Ulises Cabrera da Silva (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Located in southeastern Brazil near the border with Argentina and Paraguay, this national park protects one of the world's largest waterfall systems. The site comprises approximately 275 waterfalls of varying heights arranged along the Iguazu River, creating a dramatic landscape where water cascades through a deeply incised canyon surrounded by subtropical forest. The park's UNESCO inscription recognizes its exceptional natural value, encompassing diverse ecosystems that support numerous species of flora and fauna adapted to the tropical environment. The waterfalls are visually characterized by their spectacular arrangement, with water plunging into a deep gorge that generates considerable mist and spray. The surrounding forest vegetation, ranging from dense jungle canopy to riverside vegetation, forms an integral part of the site's ecological significance and contributes substantially to its biological importance and aesthetic qualities.