one of the smaller state parks, in rio de janeiro, parque estadual da serra da concórdia covers a modest area of approximately 804 hectares, however, preserving some of the rare ecosystems of the region, enjoys full environmental protection from the state authorities. recognized internationally as an ecological 'hotspot', the park holds an exotic portion of the lush atlantic forest, and with many of its biological secrets still undiscovered, it remains high priority for scientists, researchers and explorers.

created by state decree no. 32,577, in 2002, the parque estadual da serra da concórdia is still in its early days as an officially recognized state park. however, located in the basin of the paraíba do sul, as part of the municipality of valença, the area is considered a national priority for environmental conservation, and has the geological advantage of natural protection from the serra da mantiqueira mountain range on one side, and the serra do mar on the other.