Brazil Eco Adventure Tours
Rainforest - Hiking & Biking - Wildlife

Protected Areas
Tijuca National Park

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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.
 
The Tijuca National Park is today operating like a natural air condition for Rio de Janeiro reducing the city’s medium temperature by approximately 9 degrees. Apart from the famous “Corcovado”,on an area of 3.300 hectares, the visitor can today observe trees with more than 100 years, 30 waterfalls, over 330 plant- and up to 100 animal species.

See also: São Paulo - Rio de Janeiro
                 Visconde de Mauá - Ilha Grande
 
 
Legislation: Decrees 50.923/61, 10.198/04
                                     60.183/67, 70.186/72
 
 
Area: 3.200 ha
 
Altitude: 0 - 1.020 m
 
Climate:  Aw
 
Address: Estrada da Cascatinha, 850,
                Alto da Boa Vista - RJ
                CEP 20531 590
                Tel.: (21) 2492-2252
 
Websites:  www.unep-wcmc.org
                   www.ibama.gov.br
                   www2.ibama.gov.br
                   www.terrabrasil.org.br
                   www.floresta80.hpg.ig.com.br
 
Biome:  Atlantic Rainforest
 
Ecosystems:  Tropical Rainforest
 
Altitudinal Zones:  Submontane / Montane
 
Flora:  Murici, ipê-amareio, ipê-tabaco, angicos, caixeta-preta, cambuí, urucurana, jequitibá, araribá, cedro, ingá, açoita-cavalo, pau-pereira. cangerana, canelas, camboatá, palmito, brejaúba, samambaiaçus, quaresmeiras, caetés, pacovas, líquens, musgos, etc.
 
Fauna:  sagüis, macacos-prego, cachorros-do-mato, quatis, guaxinins, gatos-do-mato, pacas, ouriços-coendu; caxinguelês, tapitis, tatus, tamanduás-mirim, gambás, etc.,
 
Peaks: Pico da Tijuca (1.020 m)
             Pedra da Gávea (842 m)
             Pedra Bonit (696 m)
 
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