Foz do Iguacu, Brazil

Foz do Iguacu – Seventh Largest in State Parana

Foz do Iguacu, a Brazilian city towards the border of Iguacu Falls is the 7th largest in the state of Parana where the population is around 265,000. It is situated almost 650 km west of Curitiba, the capital of the state, since it is the westernmost city in that state and the people of the city are known as iguacuenses. The Iguacu Falls which is placed on the border of Argentina and Brazil comprises of around 257 individual falls over 2.7 km and chosen as one of the New Natural Seven Wonders of the World.

There are around 80 nationalities namely Italy, Portugal, Lebanon, China, Paraguay and Argentina. Foz do Iguacu is so named since it tends to sit at the entrance of the Iguacu River, dischargingin the Parana River where the frontier among Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina lies. Iguacu means `large water, in Tupi-Guarani etymology. Foz do Iguacu is combined into a tri-national region adjoining Argentine city of Puerto Igauzu and the Paraguayan city of Ciudad del Este and the economy of the city depends on tourism with importance on trade and services.

Second Most Visited Leisure/Romantic Destination

As per research carried out by the Brazilian Tourist Institute –Embratur and the Foundation Institute of Economic Research – FIFE, in 2006, 2007 and 2008, Foz do Iguacu was said to be the second most visited leisure destination by foreign tourist after Rio de Janeiro. It had received 10 awards for Best Practices and Competitiveness Index in 2010 from the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism. Foz do Iguacu has been well-known by the different national as well as international media.

 The Guardian, the British newspaper states that it is the best foreign destination of UK while the U.S. World Network CNN has classified it as one of the most romantic destinations. Foz do Iguacu is home of the Itaipu dam which is the largest hydroelectric plant in power generation in the world. Having 20 generator units and installed capacity of 14,000 MW, it tends to provide around 17% of the energy spent in Brazil and 75% of consumption in Paraguay.

Does not Operate Its Own Municipal Transport Network

The city is mainly Roman Catholic with a relatively great minority of Muslims as well as Buddhists. The city has a huge mosques and a Buddhist temple. An annual event, Fenartec is held in the convention centre of the city commemorating the multicultural diversity of the city which is generally in May. With regards to transport, the city does not operate its own municipal transport network.

On the contrary it licenses four private bus companies to operate services on its behalf and the fares of the bus are set by the municipality for all the four companies. The city had initiated an integrated city fare and created a hub near the city centre in 2003. The transport network tends to extend to certain distant locations like the city’s airport and the Iguazu Park though not between the city and its neighbour Cludad del Este or with Puerto Igauzu that is serviced by some other companies.

All these routes are not part of the incorporated network which is reflected by higher charges.