Iguazu Falls lie on the border of Brazil and Argentina, within protected areas in both countries.
The falls are formed by the Iguazu River near its junction with the Paraná River. They consist of roughly 275 separate cascades spread across a broad semicircular edge, although the exact count varies with water level and how individual drops are defined. The most dramatic section is the Garganta del Diablo, or Devil's Throat.
Brazil's Iguaçu National Park and Argentina's Iguazú National Park protect the surrounding Atlantic Forest. The Argentine side offers extensive paths among the cascades, while the Brazilian side is known for broad panoramic views. Both parks are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Iguazu is often compared with Niagara because both are large tourist waterfalls, but Iguazu is wider and more segmented. The name comes from Guarani words commonly translated as “great water.” Paraguay is nearby, but it does not share the main waterfall boundary.