Tijuca National Forest - Rio de Janeiro

Tijuca National Forest is the largest urban rain forest in the world.
Most of the area was onced logged until the hills were barren. Then they decided to replant trees throughout the area, instead of just using local trees, they decided to also plant trees from Asia and other places.




Beautiful Waterfalls on Tijuca Peak.




An old tile map of the Tijuca National Park




From the summit of Tijuca Peak looking northeast toward the Rio-Niteroi Bridge.
The Maracanã is visible below.




Nearing the summit of Tijuca Peak




Ancient veination on the primative tropical plants.




Ipanema and Lagoa




The Sugarloaf and the Christ (Hidden behind the radio towers)
Guanabara Bay, Piratininga Beach and Camboinhas Beach are visible in the background.




The Maracanã and the Maracanãzinho




Tijuca City as seen from atop Tijuca Peak.




Looking east over the Sugarloaf and Guanabara Bay
toward Niteroi and Lagoa de Piratininga




Pico do Papagaio (Parrot Peak)




Pedra Bonita (Pretty Rock)




Pedra Bonita and Pedra da Gavea with it's head in the clouds




Antennae and TV transmitters
The Sugarloaf sits below.




The Christ Statue on Corcovado can be seen on the other side of the transmitters.




Lagoa, Morro do Cabrito




Interesting Brazilian Flies




Golden Beetle




Rio de Janeiro




Tijuca, the Bridge to Niteroi, and the Maracanã can be seen.




Maracanã stadium and the hill on the right.




From atop Tijuca Peak looking northeast over Tijuca and downtown Rio.
The bridge to Niteroi is visible.




Dense Jungle meets Dense City.




Rio de Janeiro Jungle




Looking across Guanabara Bay to Icarai Beach south of Niteroi




The sign to Pico da Tijuca (Tijuca Peak)




Quati - Brazilian Raccoons




Quati
They always travel in large groups




The old man face on Pedra da Gavea




Another view of the face on Pedra da Gávea.




Pedra da Gávea




Brazilian Tamarines
Mico Monkeys




Brazilian Tamarines




Pepino Beach and Pedra da Gávea.

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Wicked looking spider
Looks like a type of Argiope




Lagoa and Ipanema




Jockey Club next to Lagoa




Looking east toward the back of Christ the Redeemer
Cristo Redentor




Pico do Corcovado, Hunchback Peak.




The giant statue of Christ.




Pedra da Gavea and Pedra Bonita




Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers) and Rocinha (Little Ranch), the largest slum in Brazil.