Guaíra Falls, Paraguay/Brazil
Thirty-seven years ago, on the border between Paraguay and Brazil, lay the most powerful waterfalls in the world. Comprising a series of 18 falls, with the tallest 130 feet high, this natural wonder attracted tourists from across the globe, who were captivated by its immense power and beauty.
In October 1982, the falls fell victim to a giant engineering project. They were closed and dynamited to create the Itaipu Dam, which now provides 75% of the electricity used by Paraguay and 25% of the electricity in Brazil.
While they’re clearly a viable source of renewable energy, whether it’s worth the price of losing such a natural spectacle is another question altogether.
