Las Cataratas Iguazu

[Puerto Iguazú, Argentina]

rumor has it that upon laying eyes on Iguazu Falls, first lady Elenor Roosevelt exclaimed “poor Niagra!” 

las cataratas include 275 separate falls, spanning approximately 1.7 miles.  the falls average 210-270 feet in height.

Argentina established Iguazu National Park in 1934 to protect the subtropical rainforest which surrounds the falls.  it is home to over 2000 species of plants, 450 species of birds, and 80 species of mammals.

the falls are fed by the Rio Iguazu which serves as a section of the Brazil-Argentina border. 

over-all, we felt adequately rewarded for the 18 hour bus ride each way, if not only by the astounding view of the moonrise over Uruguay en route to our destination.