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IGUAZÚ NATIONAL
PARK
Province of Misiones
This
park was created in 1934 to conserve one of the country's scenic wonders,
the Iguazú waterfalls and a good portion of the subtropical forests
in which they are set. It is in the northeast corner of the country, in
Misiones province. The park covers some 67,000has. Across the river is
the Brazilian counterpart. In 1984 both parks were declared World Natural
Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
NATURAL
ASPECTS OF IGUAZÚ
The Iguazú
river has its headwaters in the Serra do Mar, in Brazil, a short distance
from the Atlantic coast, and flows westwards over more than 500km to join
the Paraná a bare 90m above sea level. Most of its upper course
is wide, between low banks, over bed-rock basalt. Just above the falls
it widens in an about-turn swing to some 1500m. At the end of this U-turn
it tumbles over the lip of the falls themselves. Here islands split the
river into many lesser arms and each forms its separate waterfall, the
whole becoming the great fan of the spectacular Iguazú falls.
On these islands and the banks of the river hereabouts grows a particular
vegetation with special trees such as the Curupay (Adenanthera macrocarpa),
the Cupay (Copaifera langsdorfi, exclusive to the falls), the Aguay (Pouteria
gardneriana), the Ingás (Inga marginata and Inga uruguensis) and
the two laurels Blanco and de Rio (Ocotea acutifolia and Nectandra falcifolia
respectively). There is also the Coral tree (Erythrina crista-galli),
the national flower of Argentina. Another particular plant community related
to the falls is the Paspalum lilloi grassland growing on the rocks in
the river.
Undoubtedly the most characteristic bird associated with the falls is
the Great Dusky Swift which flies behind or through the falling water
with great precision to reach its roosts and nests.
On the walkways one frequently encounters groups of the Coati-mundi which
have become accustomed to the presence of man, or flights of Toco Toucans,
one of the five species found in the park. A huge variety and number of
butterflies are to be seen on the walks and trails. They congregate on
small puddles and damp spots where they go for the disolved salts.
Rock-lizards (Tropidurus sp) are active during the heat of the day in
sunny spots. They are excellent climbers and frequent the rock-faces and
tree trunks.
Within the park are to be found several species of seriously endangered
species such as the Jaguar; here it finds one of its last refuges in the
country.
There are at least 90 species of tree to be found in the forest, some
being very spectacular in flower. This is particularly true of the Tabebuias
which at the end of winter, before leafing out, are a mass of pink or
yellow, according to the species. Yellow also are the flowers of the Ybirá
Pytá, (Peltophorum dubium), in December. The Forest Coral (Erythina
falcata) is all orange in November.
In the higher sectors of the park there is a type of forest dominated
by the Palo Rosa (Aspidosperma polyneuron) with abundant Palmitos (Euterpe
edulis), the former growing upto 150ft in height, the latter growing in
their shade and that of other giant species. The edible heart of the palm
is extracted for food, but causes the death of the specimen.
HOW
TO GET THERE
Route
12 enter the park from the south and rt. 101 from the east, crossing the
entire length though wonderful forest. The town is Puerto Iguazú,
17km west of the falls (Cataratas). There are air services to this town
as also to Ciudad del Este (Paraguay) and Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil).
The Argentine side's airport is but seven Km from the falls.
POINTS
OF INTEREST
The
park HQ is in Puerto Iguazú. There is a visitors Center in the
old hotel facing the falls, soon to be transferred to the new developmants
by what is to become the entrance to the park.
Viewing the falls is from three different trails:
* The Lower circuit is some 1500 yards long and must be followed in a
clockwise direction. It provides a wonderful introduction with close-up
experiences and lush vegetation.
* The Upper Walks go along the upper rim of the falls, island-hopping
as far as San Martín fall. This circuit is soon to be completed
by building a return along another elevated trail.
* Garganta del Diablo, the most powerful spectacle, is at present reached
via a crossing of the upper river in a boat and a short walk along an
elevated trail. The boats operate till 17.30hs. In the near future there
will be a walkway all the way over the upper river.
* There is an observatory overlooking a marsh for those interested in
birds.
* Macuco trail is a must for those who wish to get nearer nature. Out
and back it is some four miles long, and there is a pool at the end for
a refreshing dip.
* Yacaratiá is a vehicle trail attended by a concession. There
are exciting boat trips to be taken at the end of the trail on some programmes.
* On moonlight nights (three, around full moon) there are guided walks
offered - consult the notice-board for more details.
* The camp site at Ñandú is often not open because of the
threats from marauding "big cats", but there are campgrounds
in town.
Thanks to APN - Administración
de Parques Nacionales
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