With peaks up to 2.800 m, the Passa Quatro /
Itatiaia
- massifs represent the highest elevations in the
Mantiqueira
mountain range and some of the highest on the eastern side of the American continent. They were
formed during the Cretaceous (about 80 million years ago),
through
alkaline magmatism,
probably associated with the Trindade Mantle Plume.
They represent the roots of very old extinct and eroded volcanoes.
Itatiaia is considered the second largest alkaline intrusive complex in Brazil
and one of the largest in the world.
Bocaina is the
local name given to the portion of the
Serra do Mar
that is located along the state border of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Its altitude ranges from sea level to 2.100 m and it connects the Paraíba valley (800 m)
with the coastal lowlands. Bocaina contains several trails which prior to colonization,
were used by the Tamoios -
Indians, during the XVIII century
for transporting gold and diamonds and later coffee out of the Paraíba valley. There are
many colonial coffee fazendas in the area.
Ilha Grande
is the largest of the more than 300 islands situated in the bay of the same name
approximately 5 km offshore from the coast. Its mountainous relief with altitudes up to 1.000 m
is composed of calc - alcaline granites that were formed during the late Neoproterozoic
(about 500 - 600 million years ago), during the fusion of West Gondwana. The island, which
served in the past as a shelter for pirates and corsairs, as a port for slave traders,
as a quarantine station for european immigrants and as a prison for criminals and political
offenders has become today a fascinating
ecotourism destination
in southeast Brazil.
For further information regarding the historical cities and
protected areas
of the tour please refer to: |
