this important part of the atlantic rainforest was
declared a national park in the 1960s, a measure aimed at
preserving its unique biodiversity. amigos do parque is a great website entirely dedicated
to the
tijuca forest, and can be accessed on
this page. assistance of professional
guides is highly recommended for hiking excursions in the
forest.
tijuca is a word derived from an old expression of the tupi
indigenous people which is roughly translated as 'rotting
water', probably referencing the tijuca lagoon and former
swamps.