Facts of Brazil in the land of the Iguassu FallsFacts of Brazil are intended to give you a brief insight of the city of Foz do Iguaçu and the Brazilian people living there. This city is one of your options when deciding where to logde on your trip to
Iguassu Falls.
Iguaçuences (that's how people living in Foz do Iguaçu call themselves) and Brazilians in general are optimistic, passionate people. There most notable characteristic is they are very entrepreneurial. It seems each Brazilian has a deep connection with the 'greatness' of his country and feels he accordingly has to be a great achiever. Achievers? One fact is Brazilians have built Foz do Iguaçu, the best developed city in the Triple Frontier area (the other two are Ciudad del Este in Paraguay and Puerto Iguazú in Argentina). They have had an important role in the developement of Ciudad del Este. Without brazilian investment and initiative the Paraguayan city wouldn't be what it is today. They also have built the Friendship and Tancredo Neves Bridges that connect all three cities. The giant hydroelectric Dam of Itaipú also located in the region (which you can visit when coming here) was co-constructed with the Paraguayans but totally financed by Brazil. Brazilian settlements in Paraguay are many, mostly located near the frontier with Brazil. Each one of these small country cities are a small Brazil inside Paraguay and their people are dedicated to farming or farming related activities that have a large impact on Paraguay's small economy. One of the most important facts of Brazil(s) people are they are very proud and jealous of their nationality. Brazilian cultural and economic influence is king on neighboring countries, especially in Paraguay. Facts of Brazil #2: What languages do they speak? The common Brazilian of course speaks Portuguese but has no problem understanding Spanish (the problem will be yours understanding his Portuguese!). It’s rare to find a Brazilian who understands Guaraní language. As rare as this is an English speaking Brazilian. Facts of Brazil #3: A Common Characteristic of Brazilians Local humor can be a reliable source to know how people are. It is a famous joke in Brazil that a Brazilian never lies…he only ‘exaggerates’ meaning this that for him anything Brazilian is therefore the best or the largest in the world. Ask a local Brazilian what he thinks about the Iguassu Falls… I assure you this time he will not exaggerate, they truly are the best falls in the world! Facts of Brazil #4: The Guaraní Cultural Influence in the Region Where can you see the Guaraní cultural influence in Brazil? You can see it mainly on the names of Brazil’s geography, flora and fauna and consequently on the names of some of its cities. The city of Foz do Iguaçu (Outlet of Iguassu) of course carries the Guaraní name of the falls and river. Another good example is the city of Curitiba one of the most important cities in southern Brazil. Curitiba is a derivative of the Guaraní word ‘Kurityva’ which is the name the Guaranis gave to the Paraná pine tree (araucaria angustifolia) also a common presence in the forest of the Iguaçu National Park. The City of Foz do Iguaçu But Facts of Brazil would not be complete if we didn't tell you about Foz do Iguaçu.
Located in the State of Paraná and with a population of 300,000 Foz do Iguaçu is a modern city built alongside the Paraná River on an undulated landscape.
It is a city of wide paved avenues and streets under the shade of trees. The parks and many trees are most important here due to warm weather but it also gives the city a personal touch we love. Street signaling is excellent and public transportation and cleanness are good.
Foz do Iguaçu is a city of immigrants who settled here coming from all parts of Brazil and the world. Before 1914, when Foz was raised to city status, this area was almost completely uninhabited.
The city experienced an economic boom and rapid growth after the opening of the Friendship Bridge in 1965. The city also benefited greatly with the building of the the Itaipú Dam, a multi-billion dollar mammoth construction that mobilized thousands of temporary workers. Many of Itaipú’s temporary workers settled permanentley in Foz when its construction finished in the 70s. The real long term economic health of the city depends on the Iguassu Falls tourism complex and on Ciudad del Este's shopping bonanza. The following map is a 'big picture' showing you the three cities of the 'Triple Frontier'. Foz do Iguaçu is connected to Ciudad del Este and Puerto Iguazú with the Friendship and Tancredo Neves Bridges.
With more than one hundred hotels and hundreds of restaurants and eateries, bars, night clubs, amusement parks, museums and shopping centers it is obvious tourism is the main industry of the city. The local airport(see above) alone receives more than 600,000 visitors annually. The big tourist attraction of the city of course is the Iguassu Falls.
Places to Visit in Foz do Iguacu Two places in this city we recommend visiting are
The Omar Ibn Al-Khatab mosque
and the
Itaipu Eco Museum.
The second biggest employer of Iguaçuences is the neighboring city of Ciudad del Este (Paraguay). Some 20,000 Brazilians live in Foz do Iguaçu but work in the Paraguayan city mainly as wholesale and retail business owners or employees. For Iguaçuences Ciudad del Este is an extension of Foz do Iguaçu, something like a giant tax and duty free shopping center where they buy imported goods at bargain prices. Paraguayans living in Ciudad del Este also cross the river to Foz do Iguaçu in great numbers for entertainment and shopping purposes. 
Everybody moves freely between the cities crossing the Ponte da Amizade or Friendship Bridge without any immigration procedures. Nobody asks for your I.D. or Passport on both sides of the bridge unless you present yourself to the authorities. Commerce in these cities is dependant on the fluid movement of people. No mater how lax things may be, we firmly recommend that you make your entrance in Brazil or Paraguay marked on your Passport. In case of any unexpected event (ex. a car acciddent) authorities will ask for your entrance or fine you if you don't have it.
Iguassu Falls To learn the facts that matter on this world class natural wonder please go from
Facts of Brazil to Iguassu Falls Facts.
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