The Iguazú National Park, listed under UNESCO world heritage is located in Argentina, in Iguazú Department, along the north of the province of Misiones, in the Argentine Mesopotamia. Covering an area of 212 sq miles, the National park has an ambit which holds world’s gargantuan waterfalls. The park was founded in the year 1934, and it includes in its landscape the prolific natural creation in the form of Iguazu Falls. Adding to the beauty of the falls is the surrounding subtropical jungle.
On the other side of Iguazu River is the Brazilian, Iguaçu National Park, which was also included as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the year 1986. It is believed that earlier settlers in the Iguazú National Park, around 10,000 years ago were the hunter-gatherers who belonged to Eldoradense culture. However, in 1000CE, Guaraní brought innovative agriculture tools, thus displacing Eldoradense culture. Furthermore, Guaraní was in turn displaced in 16th century by Spanish and Portuguese conquistadores, and they still have their presence here in the National park. Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca was the first European who visited the park in the year 1542, and the visit was soon followed by Jesuit missions in 1609.
The Iguazú National Park houses many rare and endangered species of plants and animal species and this call for the reason of inclusion under UNESCO world heritage. The endangered species residing in the park includes, tirica, anteater, pavas de monte, Harpy Eagle, jaguar, jaguarundi, South American Tapir. There are species of mammals such as coatí, apart from different butterfly species.Some of the popular plant species seen in Iguazú National Park include Ceibo (Cockspur coral tree), Palmito trees, Palo Rosa, Lapacho Negro and Lapacho Amarillo and many more. The Iguazú National Park is a heritage by all means.
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