it is fairly small, about 200,000 square meters in size, and the site of the governor of the state of rio de janeiro's summer home.

although it is located so close to the city, it has seen relatively little use throughout the history of brazil, and has only recently been opened to the public.

brocoió has been characterized as a bucolic place for leisure and relaxation of rio unknown to most residents.  

also accessible via praça xv is ilha do governador - the biggest island in the bay, ilha do governador spans 34 square kilometers on the western side of the bay, with an estimated 250,00 inhabitants.