It contains many granitic intrusions, such as the
Cantareira - batholith,
the
Ilhabela -
stocks
or the famous granite domes of the
Tijuca
National Park, like
Sugar Loaf or
Corcovado.
The magnificent escarpments of the
Serra do Mar and its associated offshore islands are covered
with dense
tropical rainforest
of outstanding
flora
and
fauna
diversity.
According to a
biomap of the
University of Bonn from 1999, more than 5.000 vascular plant species can be found in an area of just 10.000 sqkm.
Many traditional communities live in the area such as descendants of the
Tupiniquim and
Tamoio
Indians who inhabited the
region prior to colonization, descendants of African
slaves
(
quilombolas) or the
so - called
caiçara
communities on the
Juatinga
peninsula.
In and around
Paraty,
many
colonial buildings, churches, cassava (manioc)- and sugar cane-
mills and traditional
cachaça distilleries can be found.
For dates, prices and booking of this tour, please click
here.