Which national park in Brazil is home to the Iguaçu Falls?

Iguaçu National Park is the Brazilian national park home to Iguaçu Falls.

Located in Paraná State, the park protects the Brazilian side of the spectacular waterfall system on the Iguaçu River. The falls stretch for roughly 2,700 meters and consist of many separate cascades, with the exact number changing according to river flow. The most dramatic section is the Devil’s Throat, a powerful U-shaped gorge surrounded by spray and rainforest.

Iguaçu National Park was created by federal decree on January 10, 1939. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 because of its exceptional scenery and the Atlantic Forest ecosystems surrounding the falls. The park shelters species such as giant otters, giant anteaters, jaguars, and a wide variety of birds and plants.

A key distinction is that Iguaçu Falls is shared by Brazil and Argentina. Brazil’s Iguaçu National Park lies across the river from Argentina’s Iguazú National Park, which was established in 1934 and recognized by UNESCO in 1984. The Portuguese spelling “Iguaçu” identifies the Brazilian park; “Iguazú” is the Spanish form used in Argentina.