Iberá, Where Water and Life Sing

Iberá, where water and life sing

The Iberá natural Reserve is located in the province of Corrientes, in the northeast of the Argentine Republic. The ecosystem known as Iberá Wetlands was named after the Ibera lagoon located in the Eastern center area of this immense system of marshlands.

The Iberá word is formed by two words of the "Guaraní" language: "Î", meaning water, and "berá", meaning shine. Translated into Spanish means "shining water", name that the natives called "Guaraníes" are supposed to have given this name due to the stunning brightness of the surface of the lake.

This peculiarity is visible during dawn or sunset when the calm closed system of this lagoon is disrupted by the breeze produced by the change of temperature between the surrounding surface and the water causing a reflection with very particular effects of the sunlight.

Nevertheless, some dispute the origins of its name. Locals believe that the name comes from the name of a heroic princess, Iberá, who was the daughter of the Guaraní cacique who dived into the wetlands so as to protect the dignity of her culture.

The Natural Reserve is known for its biodiversity, including four species that have been declared "Provincial Natural Monuments": the neo-tropical river otter, the manned wolf, the pampas deer, and the marsh deer. It is also home to the two Argentine species of alligator, the Yacare caiman (black yacaré) and the broad-snouted caiman, as well as the capybara (the world's largest rodent) and about 350 bird species.

Together with flora and fauna, the Iberá's inhabitants are involved with its particular environment. Some of them used to be hunters but they are tourist guides today; others live on agricultural activities and there are also the ancient islanders who still live on the produce of the land and, of course, the water.

To know about its values and its particular life style, in concordance with the nature rules, is an important part of the rich experience that you may get in the Iberá wetlands

See our suggested program to explore Iberá and Iguazú here.

http://www.metropolitan-touring.com/content.asp?id_page=2148

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