Video: The Mighty Iguazú Falls

The Iguazú River forms a southern border between Brazil and Argentina. Just before it joins the Paraná River (the second longest in South America), it topples off a basalt ridge to form the world’s largest waterfall system. Secure walkways bring visitors to within a few feet of the thunderous cataracts.

Two contiguous national parks in Argentina and Brazil (Iguazú National Park and Iguaçu, respectively) protect nearly 1,000 square miles of rainforest, home to jaguars and tapirs, as well as a myriad of brilliant tropical birds.

The largest of the falls is Garganta del Diablo, the Devil’s Throat. From Brazil, there is a superlative panoramic view from a spray-drenched platform, while in Argentina an elevated deck overlooks a chasm where 50 percent of the Iguazú River’s water disappears in a swirling chaos of spray.