the gardens cover an incredible 1.37 million square meters, and are filled with an incredible array of flora and fauna, including 8,000 species of plants, 5,500 types of trees, 138 species of birds, and numerous other animals, including monkeys, marmosets, and squirrels.

the mission of the gardens is to promote and conduct scientific research, aiming to conserve and value biodiversity, whilst carrying out activities to promote the integration of science, education, culture and nature - owing to this mission there are a number of environmental education activities that are held within the gardens, as well as a large library, and greenhouses to visit.

the jardim botânico is defined by unesco as a biosphere reserve area, and is an exotic, yet manageable, way for people of all ages to appreciate rio de janeiro's ecological odyssey.