Protected Areas in Brazil

Serra do Divisor National Park, located in the westernmost part of Brazil, is a significant conservation area within the Amazon rainforest near the border with Peru. This protected area is part of the Serra do Divisor mountain range, which forms a natural boundary between Brazil and Peru. Together with the adjoining Serra del Divisor National Park in Peru, it constitutes one of the largest contiguous blocks of protected areas in the Amazon basin.

In the heart of Brazil's mineral-rich Iron Quadrangle region lies the Serra do Gandarela National Park. Established in 2014, this sanctuary in Minas Gerais is famed for its biodiversity. With rugged mountains, lush forests, and crystal-clear rivers, it's a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and researchers. The park safeguards endangered species and serves as a vital water source for Belo Horizonte and its surrounding area, showcasing Brazil's dedication to conservation.

Rising majestically from Rio de Janeiro's coastal plains, the Serra dos Órgãos offers one of Brazil's most spectacular mountain landscapes. Named for its granite spires resembling cathedral organ pipes, this range is part of the Serra do Mar system, creating a dramatic backdrop that has fascinated visitors and scientists for centuries. From the bustling metropolis of Rio de Janeiro, these peaks appear as mystical silhouettes against the sky, their jagged profiles like ancient monuments to Brazil's geological forces.

Serra Furada State Park, located in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, is a hidden gem of the Atlantic Forest biome. Spanning the municipalities of Orleans and Grão Pará, the park was established to protect its unique and diverse ecosystems. Nestled in the densely forested mountain region of the Serra Geral escarpment, Serra Furada is a vital part of the core zone of the Mata Atlântica Biosphere Reserve, playing a crucial role in the conservation of rare and endangered species and the regeneration of local forests.

In the heart of Brazil's northeastern region, two remarkable landscapes showcase the country's vast ecological and geological diversity. Sete Cidades National Park and the Serra da Ibiapaba Environmental Protection Area are more than just protected areas—they are windows into the intricate relationships between flora, fauna, and the land itself. These areas are home to unique ecosystems, dramatic rock formations, and species that exist nowhere else on Earth.

Nestled in northern Brazil, the Amapá Biodiversity Corridor is a testament to the country's commitment to protecting its invaluable natural heritage. This expansive ecological corridor, spanning over 10 million hectares and encompassing 72% of the state of Amapá, is a true conservation success story. It integrates a network of protected areas and indigenous lands to safeguard the region's exceptional biodiversity.

The Cerrado Biosphere Reserve, spanning across the Brazilian states of Goiás, Tocantins, Maranhão, Piauí, Bahia, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, and the Federal District, encompasses the vast and diverse Cerrado biome, what scientists consider the world's most biodiverse savanna and one of Earth's oldest tropical ecosystems. This UNESCO-designated reserve covers nearly a quarter of Brazil's land area—making it one of the world's largest biosphere reserves and highlighting the country's extraordinary natural heritage and ecological significance.

Nestled within Brazil's Central-West region lies an ecological treasure of global significance: the Cerrado Protected Areas, a UNESCO Site encompassing Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks. These complementary protected areas safeguard the world's oldest and most biodiverse tropical savanna, representing humanity's most important stronghold for preserving the remarkable evolutionary heritage of the Cerrado biome. Located on Brazil's ancient central plateau, these parks preserve contrasting landscapes that together showcase the full spectrum of Cerrado biodiversity.

Brazil's Mata Atlântica Biosphere Reserve is one of the world's most ambitious conservation projects, safeguarding the remaining critically endangered Atlantic Forest. As Brazil's first biosphere reserve, this vast network covers 14 states and extends along Brazil's Atlantic coast from Ceará in the northeast to Rio Grande do Sul in the south. What makes this reserve remarkable is its innovative approach to conservation in one of the world's most densely populated areas, where over 120 million Brazilians live alongside some of the planet's most endangered ecosystems.

Nestled in the heart of South America, the Pantanal Biosphere Reserve stands as a testament to Brazil's incredible natural wonders. This expansive protected area, spanning the states of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, and a small portion of Goiás, encompasses one of the world's most extensive wetland complexes. It is a dynamic and diverse ecosystem that has captivated ecologists, conservationists, and nature enthusiasts alike.