The Beyond News

Iguazú Falls or Iguaçu Falls Spanish: Cataratas del Iguazú Guarani: Chororõ Yguasu Portuguese: Cataratas do Iguaçu  are waterfalls of the Iguazu River on the border of the Argentine province of Misiones and the Brazilian state of Paraná. Together, they make up the largest waterfall in the world. The falls divide the river into the upper and lower Iguazu. The Iguazu River rises near the heart of the city of Curitiba. For most of its course, the river flows through Brazil; however, most of the falls are on the Argentine side. Below its confluence with the San Antonio River, the Iguazu River forms the border between Argentina and Brazil.

The name Iguazú comes from the Guarani or Tupi words "y", meaning "water", and "ûasú, meaning "big". Legend has it that a deity planned to marry a beautiful woman named Naipí, who fled with her mortal lover Tarobá in a canoe. In a rage, the deity sliced the river, creating the waterfalls and condemning the lovers to an eternal fall.The first European to record the existence of the falls was the Spanish Conquistador Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca in 1541.

Foods in Iguazu falls :

(1) CHIPA GUAZU :

 A salty corn pie using corn on the cob, onion, eggs and cheese. The name chipa is used for several dishes that also contain corn flour, but this type of chipa is eaten with mate cocido (mate in a tea bag) or as a side dish. The word guazu in the Guarani language means grande (it’s the biggest kind of chipa) and was extremely important as it was used to feed people in the Triple Alliance War (1856).

(2) CHIPA :

 Similar to the first kind of chipa, but instead using manioc starch instead of corn flour. This recipe was originally from the indigenous Guaranies, but with the arrival of the Jesuits they added some new ingredients such as eggs and cheese (they used to prepare it only with water). This is perfect for breakfast or for accompanying mate (but then again, isn’t everything?). This type of chipa is very popular in Paraguay, Argentina (Corrientes, Misiones, Formosa, etc) and in Brazil, where it’s called pao de queijo (cheese bread).

(3) SOPA PARAGUAYA :

 This salty sponge cake is quite caloric due to the usage of corn flour (thinner than polenta), fried onions, eggs, milk, cheese and corn oil. The Guaranies cooked them wrapped in banana leaves and placing them straight into the hot coals. Nowadays, of course, the oven is used instead.

(4) MANDIOCA OR YUCA : 

This is actually a root of a plant, containing special minerals and proteins due to its contact with the soil. Because of this, it’s been the base of both the Guaranies’ diet as well as other indigenous populations from South America. You can try it simply boiled or, if that’s too healthy for you, fried. Yuca is often used to replace potatoes: in salads, gnocchi, or even as a side dish.

(5) DORADO,BOGA,SURUBI O PACU :

 Try one (or all) of these four kinds of fish from the Parana River and lower Iguazu River on your trip to Iguazu Falls. In the restaurants they’re prepared grilled, fried or baked, and can also be used as empanadas filling! Yummy!

(6)La Mafia Trattoria :

 Served with the best wine, the food at La Mafia Trattoria is one of the best Italian restaurants in the nearby city of Foz do Iguaçu. The atmosphere is stylized after the 1997 film The Godfather and is covered with tastefully done decorations as an homage to the film.

Weather & geography in  Iguazu falls :

The climate of Puerto Iguazú is classified as “Humid Subtropical” meaning that there are no particularly “dry” or “wet” seasons. The city is usually hot and sunny throughout the year due to the low altitude although this can change quickly: rainfall is present all year round as well.

Per day Cost in  Iguazu falls :

things to know before your visit Iguazu Falls, Argentina. At the time of publication, a day-trip (including round-trip bus) to the park is going to cost at least $360AR (£18/$26 USD) per person, without factoring in your food and accommodation.

History of  Iguazu falls :

Iguazu roughly translates into “water” and “big”, combined to create “big/large water”. The first European to record the existence of the falls was Conquistador Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca in 1541, from Spain. Nearly 3000 feet of the Iguazu River does not have water flowing over it.