Two major river basins - Guanabara and Sepetiba Bay as well as the Iguaçu, Sarapuí and Guandu Rivers flow through the region, which besides supplying the city of Rio de Janeiro with its drinking water, produce some stunning waterfalls, swimming areas, caves and miles of hiking trails and hang-gliding or rappelling oppertunities on the various stone outcroppings. 

Being part of the larger mata atlântica this area is teaming with a large diversity of fauna and flora, many of which are endemic to this area and on the endangered species list.

part of the parque estadual do mendanha (mendanha state park), the parque natural municipal do mendanha is rio's portion of this beautiful protected area. encompassing almost 1500 acres, parque da mendanha (mendanha park) is a biodiverse jewel.