FOZ DO
IGUAÇU HISTORY |
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In 1549, a spanish explorer, Cabeza de Vaca, found the falls while trailing
down the river. Very impressed, he named them "Quedas de Santa Maria". But
later the name changed to Quedas do Iguazu, this name is an native name from
the Guarani Indians who once lived there.
Until 1860 it was in Paraguayan territory, but given its defeat in the
Paraguayan War, and big loses of territory to the winners, the falls passed
under Brazilian control in the north side and Argentinian control in the
south side. |
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The region was almost unhabited, there was only a militar colony until 1897,
with the creation of a postal office in the region. Given the little
attention of the political authorities, the region was very predated by
foreigners, mainly Argentinians.
In 1910, the colony's status was upgraded to the position of "vila" (town or
village), named "Vila Iguassu", and, in 1914, to city.
In 1916, Santos Dumont visited the region and, impressed with the beauties
of the region, suggested more attention of the government to the area and
asked for the desapropriation of the land where actualy is the Parque do
Iguaçu (Iguassu Park). Uuntil 1917, this region had a owner, Jezus Val. The
state desapropriated the land in the next uear, and, in 1939, the Parque do
Iguaçu was created.
The city experienced a big economical boom in the 60s to the late 80s, first
with the construction of the Ponte da Amizade, concluded in 1965, and the
Itaipu Dam, finished in the beggining of the 70s. However, the city suffered
with the world economy's recession, that implied in less tourists and less
consumers to Ciudad del Este's imported goods. |
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