Foz do Iguaçu, city in Brazil, located in the southwestern corner of Paraná State, near the borders of Paraguay and Argentina. Foz do Iguaçu lies on the Paraná River near its confluence with the Iguaçu River. It is connected to eastern Brazil by a paved highway and to the Paraguayan city of Ciudad del Este via the Punte de la Amistad (Spanish for “Friendship Bridge”). An international airport is also located in the city. Most of the local economy is based on tourism. The main attraction is the spectacular Iguaçu Falls, located on the Iguaçu about 24 km (about 15 mi) upriver from its junction with the Paraná. The falls are larger than Niagara Falls in North America, forming a horseshoe shape about 4 km (about 2.5 mi) wide and ranging between 60 and 80 m (about 197 to 262 ft) high. Foz do Iguaçu's proximity to the borders of Paraguay and Argentina has brought specialized services such as money exchanges, as well as illegal smuggling activity. During the 1980s Foz do Iguaçu's population expanded rapidly as people were attracted to the area by construction of the Itaipu hydroelectric project located nearby on the Paraná River. Population (1996) 231,627.
