Iguaçu is not only a place of natural wonder, but also of man made achievement.  The Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam is one of the largest power plants in the entire world and was ranked by the American Civil Engineering Association as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World in 1995.

A popular tourist attraction, the series of dams are located on the River Paraná 14 kilometres North of the International Bridge that links Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil with Ciudad del Este in Paraguay.  

The Dam was constructed in the 1970's and 1980's to much controversy and criticism due to the flooding of the area and relocation of local people.  Today, the Dam is viewed in a much more positive light, as a success story of a true bi-national enterprise as it continues to be run by a team made up of workers from both Brazil and Paraguay.  

The Itaipu Dam generates 24% of Brazil's electricity and 95% of Paraguay's electricity.  Since the first generator unit began to operate in 1984 the power plant has successively broken production and revenue records.  There are currently twenty generating units capable of turning out 14 thousand megawatts.  The dam itself is 8 kilometres long.

The Dam is powered by Lake Itaipu, one of the greatest reservoirs in the world, 170 kilometres long and holding 29 billion cubic meters of water.

This is an impressive example of the benefits which can be achieved by harnessing nature and is worthy of a visit. 

Every Friday and Saturday night the monument is illuminated with an impressive display of light and sound. 

There are different tours available:

The Observation Tour is a concise visit to the plant.  The tour begins with a film explaining the story of the Itaipu Dam before you take a bus along the base or the dam, returning across the top of the dam.  There is an opportunity to leave the bus and to take photographs of the dam.

The Special Tour is a more detailed two hour visit to the dam.  As well as visiting viewpoints overlooking the dam, you will also travel to the heart of the plant.  Admire the magnitude of this marvellous structure and visit the central control room.  Finally the tour descends to the level where the turbines are located, just a few metres away from one in full operation.