Top 7 Reasons Why You Should Visit Foz do Iguaco, Brazil Before You Die- Atlantic Ocean 5
Port of Paranagua, Parana, Brazil
The largest bulk terminal in Latin America, Port of Paranagua is also the 3rd largest container port in Brazil. Located in the city of Paranagua at the state of Parana, this is the main exporting dock of Brazil‘s agricultural products especially soybeans and soybean meal. Aside from that, there is also an oil terminal to further enhance Port of Paranagua’s role for Parana.
The Port of Paranagua which is a sheltered one also handles containers, dry bulk, break bulk, passengers, reefer and tankers. It is connected to the Getutus Vargas refinery in Araucania through a 97.6 km. pipeline operated by Petrobras, Brazil‘s state oil company.
An Overview on Foz do Iguaco:
One of South America‘s jewels, Foz do Iguaco is a city in the state of Parana, Brazil where you can find the largest waterfall system in the world – the Iguassu Falls. It lies on the borders of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. This city was discovered by a Spanish explorer, Cabeza de Vaca in 1549 while sailing along the vast Parana River that cradles the Iguassu Falls and he named the place “Quedas de Santa Maria”. In later years it was renamed to “Quedas del Iguazu”.
Foz do Iguaco remained undeveloped and was just a plain military settlement until the 19th century. When a postal service was installed at the area, it slowly began to grow in size and status and in 1910, the settlement gained the title “vila” (town). Prosperity followed suit and after 4 years it was recognized as a city and known as Foz do Iguassu. The name of this city was changed again in the 1940s after an agreement between Brazil and Lisbon (Portugal) due to language reforms implementation and it was changed into Foz do Iguaco.
In the 1960s, Foz do Iguaco enjoyed great trading success and affluence. However when world recession hit in the 1990s, the city went into an economic decline. It began to soar again during the outset of the new millenium, as tourists poured in throngs beginning 2005. In 2010, Foz do Iguaco was awarded with the Best Practices and Competitiveness Index by the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism while CNN further classified this city as one of the 14 most romantic destinations in the world.
My fellow sailors and I made a short trip to Foz do Iguaco shortly before I signed off from IVS Knock Dun in December 1997 while we’re on docked at the Port of Paranagua. It is a tiny city in southern Brazil but famous as the gateway to majestic Iguassu Falls, the most impressive natural attraction of Brazil and all of South America. A city of tourism and cultural diversity, it is a tri-national area as it is squeezed with the Argentinian city of Puerto Iguazu and Ciudad del Este in Paraguay. A destination where people come to enjoy its natural wonders, here are top 7 reasons why you should visit Foz do Iguaco, Brazil before you die.
1. Home to Iguassu Falls, 3rd largest waterfall system in the world.
Sandwiched between the border of Brazil, Argentina and tiny Paraguay is the Iguassu Falls, one of the top 7 reasons why you should visit Foz do Iguaco, Brazil before you die. This is the 3rd largest waterfall system in the world and classified as one of the 7 Wonders. While it is 2nd only to Africa’s Victoria Falls in terms of size, however its beauty is unparalleled that at some point when Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt (former US First Lady) exclaimed: “Oh, poor Niagara” (world’s No. 1 largest waterfall system) when she first saw the Iguassu. A wooden deck will take you to the Devil’s Throat which is a horse-shoe shaped cascade with 14 falls that drop to a height of 350 feet below and the border between Brazil and Argentina.
2. Where you can hop in to Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay in just one day.
Argentina claims the majority of Iguassu Falls, so does a portion of the Brazilian side and whether you stay on either sides, Ciudad del Este, Paraguay is a short bus trip away. Puerto Iguazu is the Argentinian gateway which has more trails and activities, however Brazil offers the best views of walkways descending into the untamed rainbow-sprinkled haze of the falls. At Ciudad del Este, Paraguay by the border, it is famous for cheap products where you can shop till you drop. A 3-country in one different locations to view the Iguassu Falls is indeed a rare treat and surely one of the top 7 reasons why you should visit Foz do Iguaco, Brazil before you die.
3. Up close and personal with wildlife at Parque das Aves.
Across the street at Iguassu Falls Visitor Center is the Parque das Aves (Bird Park), another one of the top 7 reasons why you should visit Foz do Iguaco, Brazil before you die. It is home to a legion of rare birds and other tropical wildlife in their natural habitat. A treat for bird lovers, this 16.5 sq.m. of lush rain forest park provides you a close encounter with rare birds like macaws and toucans.
4. Where it shares Triplice Fronteira (Triple Frontier).
The Iguassu Falls are shared by Brazil, Argentina and itsy-bitsy Paraguay and the Tripitarte (or triple border) lies unmarked where the junction of Iguazu and Parena rivers meet. All the three countries have erected monuments around the obelisk painted with the colors of their respective flags signifying their border with the Iguassu Falls.
Constructed in 1903, the borders’ landmark is an obelisk and one of the top 7 reasons why you should visit Foz do Iguaco, Brazil before you die, is located within its borders of Puerto Iguazu, Argentina and Presidente Franco, Paraguay. This is a historical boundary of the 3 countries that share the Iguassu Falls and from Ponte Internacional du Amizade (Friendship Bridge), you can watch over the river that crosses the 3 countries.
5. Home to Itaipu Dam, largest hydro-electric power in the world.
The largest generator of hydro-electric power in the world, Itaipu Dam is a bi-national one managed by both Brazil and Paraguay and is located at Foz do Iguaco though it’s built along the Parana River where both countries share. A guided visit will allow you to see several lookout points which are majestic and into the interior of the power plant as well, one of the top 7 reasons why you should visit Foz do Iguaco, Brazil before you die. An engineering wonder and science marvel, there is a short documentary about Itaipu Dam for guests to watch before the tour commence.
6. Visit the historic Ponte Internacional du Amizade (Friendship Bridge).
One of the highest bridges in the world that connects Brazil and Paraguay, Friendship Bridge symbolizes the brotherhood between the people of Foz do Iguaco in Brazil and Ciudad del Este in Paraguay. One of the top 7 reasons why you should visit Foz du Iguaco, Brazil before you die, Friendship Bridge is an important transportation hub between these 2 countries which was constructed in March 1965. It represents the cultural exchange and businesses strengthening both countries.
7. Learn mysticism at Chen Tien Buddhist Temple.
Built by the Taiwanese community of Foz do Iguaco in 1996, this temple is perched high on a hill where you get a 360-degree view of the city and that of Ciudad del Este (Paraguay). A place of reflection and meditation where you will have a close encounter with Buddhist mysticism, this is one of the top 7 reasons why you should visit Foz do Iguaco, Brazil before you die. A vast garden lies at the center of the area which is adorned by several statues of the Buddha and other Eastern deities representing wisdom, enlightenment and generosity. A good place to rest and meditate during your trip, the temple offers tranquility and utmost silence for your tired soul.
Foz do Iguaco offers some of the most interesting natural wonders of Brazil, from its majestic falls to its mystical Buddhist garden. If you are a nature lover or loves taking photos of nature, then this city is the perfect sightseeing destination for you. One day the world will be free from this pandemic and we’ll travel again so include Foz do Iguaco in your bucket list. Stay home and stay safe for now. Boa viagem em embre.
Reference: Wikipedia