The Cataracts have more to tell

The origin of the Cataracts
Approximately 140million years ago, when the region was an area of the most intense volcanic activity on the planet, deep volcanic flues allowed the molten volcanic lava to rise. On reaching the surface, the lava cooled, forming Basalt and it is this rock of which the cataracts are formed. Looking at the rocky cliffs it is possible to gain an idea of the enormous volume of out flowing of molten lava there must have been over the years to create the soil that sustains the present flora. The falls occur at the point that the Iguacu River flows into a canyon, which was itself formed as a result of eruptions and widened by the tremendous force of the water. The most stupendous falls are at the point where the main waters flowing from Parana cascade over what is known as the Garganta do Diabo or Devils Throat. It is one of Natures truly spectacular displays.
The Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, which embraces several rivers, including the Parana, Paraguai and Uruguai is situated in the Bacia do Prata. The best time to visit and really appreciate the falls at their most impressive is during the rainy season from October to January. The Park incorporates an ecosystem with three important vegetation groups; the Brazilian Pine or Parana Acuaria forest, the semi deciduous forest, which sheds its leaves in winter and the “gallery” forest, which lines the rivers’ edges. One of the characteristics of these forest types, comprising of Cedar, Laurel, the Ageratum, Mimosa,Ipe, the Branquilha (Apes Earring), the Cuvata and Inga amongst many others is that they favour the proliferation of many animal species, like Racoons, Otter, Peccary, Spotted Cavy and Tapiti (a small, Hare like rodent). The Jaguar and the Spotted Leopard Cat are also to be found. Among the bird life which nest in the park are the Jandaia (Yellow Headed Paroquet), Guaxo, (the delightfully named “Red Rumped Cacique), the green beaked Tucans, Falcons, the Black Fronted Piping Guan and the Gavião-pega-macaco (Tyrant Hawk Eagle).
Thanks to the splendour of the waterfalls, the Parque Nacional de Iguaçu, Brazil’s second largest park after Parque Nacional de Itatiaia, was created and opened in 1939. In 1986, it was declared a World Heritage Site.