the forest is a huge part of the geographical landscape of brazil, covering 15 of the country's states, and accommodating many of the continent species, fertile soils, precipitation systems, and rich biotic complexes.

to gauge the importance of the forest to the people of brazil, one just needs to consider, that it  supplies 70 percent of the population water sources - just one example of the role that the forest has in the life of the nation.

the coastal region of rio de janeiro contains one of the oldest areas of the forest, blessed with some of the greatest biodiversity, rarely seen in other parts of the world.