One of the newly declared Seven Wonders of Nature, the 275 falls cover 1.67 miles (2.7km) crashing from a height of 269 feet (82 m) and with the second greatest average annual flow of any waterfall in the world into the River Iguazu.
Their beginning, at Devils Throat, often considered the most impressive, is wider than Victoria Falls. Mist rises between 100 feet (30 m) and 490 feet (150 m) from Devil's Throat and at one point it's possible to stand surrounded by 260 degrees of waterfalls.
They are so spectacular that the USA's First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt is said to have exclaimed 'Poor Niagara' on seeing them for the first time.
Where are they?
On the border of Brazil and Argentina and not far from Paraguay, the Brazilian territory has about 20% of the jumps of the falls with the other 80% falling in Argentina. You can reach them from the large city Foz do Iguacu in Brazil, the small Argentine town of Puerto Iguazu or the edgier Ciudad del Este in Paraguay.
What are they?
The third largest waterfall in the world by volume of water moved, the Iguazu Falls appear from the air like a reversed letter J.
Best time to visit?
Visit the falls between August and November; September or October for the most clement weather.
Must see?
Ideally see them from both sides. Brazil gives the big picture and Argentina provides an up close and personal experience. While Brazil has fewer attractions, it provides kayak, hiking and rafting trips to the falls that Argentina does not.
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