the
monumento natural do arquipélago das ilhas
cagarras (natural monument of the cagarras islands)
is classified as a federal conservation unit, which has become one of the most
important areas of preservation within rio de janeiro.
enjoying the status of
área de relevante interesse ecológico (area
of special environmental interest) the archipelago, formed
by seven islands, is only 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the shores of
ipanema and it is perfectly visible from the beach. the
archipelago is
constantly photographed from the shores, yet it remains an
area
mostly unknown to residents and visitors alike.