Foz do Iguaçu

Foz do Iguaçu (fɔs do igwa'su) is the 4th largest city of Paraná state, Brazil and the 11th largest of the Brazil's Southern region, with a population of 309,000 habitants (including the nearby community of Santa Terezinha de Itaipu). It is located approximately 650 km west of Curitiba, Parana's capital city. The inhabitants of the city are known as iguaçuenses. It is situated at 25°50′S 54°30′W. The city is one of the most visited by tourists in Brazil. Most tourists are Brazilians and Argentinians, but Americans, Germans, Italians, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese tourists are also numerous. The city has about 100 hotels and "pousadas". The main attractions are: The Iguassu Falls, (with a flow capacity equal to three Niagara Falls). Part of the falls are in the Brazilian side, others (including the "Garganta do Diabo", the tallest of the falls, 97 m high) are in the Argentinian side. Parque Nacional do Iguaçu (Iguazu National Park), in both Brazil and Argentina, where the falls are. It is protected by the IBAMA. Itaipu Dam, the largest generator of hydro-elctric power in the world, in the Parana river, between Brazil and Paraguay. The Tríplice Fronteira (Triple Frontier) location where Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay meet. Each side has its own Marco (landmark). The Omar Ibn Al-Khatab mosque, the largest outside Middle East. The Bird Park (Parque das Aves), with a reasonably big collection of wild birds, and the "Bosque Guarani", the city's zoo. The Itaipu Dam produces about 20% of Brazil's electricity needs, and employs (directly and indirectly) about 5000 Iguaçuenses. Many people who live in the city work in its neighbor, Ciudad del Este. All trade between Brazil and Paraguay uses the Friendship Bridge (called Ponte da Amizade in Brazil). There is another bridge, the Fraternity Bridge (Ponte da Fraternidade, or Ponte Tancredo Neves, in Brazil), which connects Foz do Iguaçu with its Argentinian neighbor, Puerto Iguazú. The Fraternity Bridge, however, is far less important than the Friendship Bridge. Recently, the Friendship Bridge has faced problems such as traffic congestion as well as protests and blockades. The city is strategically positioned, seeing its position in Mercosul, and it is expected that its importance will increase following the formation of the SACN (South Community of Nations). Foz do Iguaçu has few industries apart from electrical energy generation; mostly, basic textiles. Because of the importance of tourism, domestic and international crises can affect the city's economy through reducing tourist numbers and by bringing fewer consumers to Ciudad del Este (a duty-free city where Brazilians import cheaper goods from Paraguay). Area code: XXX