Tijuca National Park

The Tijuca National Park is an Integral Protection Conservation Unit of the Mata Atlântica Biosphere Reserve in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Together with Serra da Cantareira in São Paulo it is considered the largest urban forest in the world (see map).

Due to intensive deforestation, erosion and rainfall reduction because of to the creation of sugar cane- and coffee plantations during the 19th century, Rio de Janeiro's drinking water supply was reduced to such extent, that King Don Pedro II in 1861 decided to reforest the affected areas. Within 10 years, Tijuca was reforested by engineer M. G. Archer by planting more than 40.000 native species.