at a glance
the jardim botânico is considered one of the ten most important botanical gardens in the world, contains over 8000 species of plants, and thousands of orchids belonging to hundreds of exotic species are on display in its orchidarium. the garden is today a symbol for the ecological and cultural heritage of rio de janeiro, stimulating and inspiring a variety of eco-initiative. At nearly 200 years of age, this secular institution has been registered by the Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional (IPHAN) for its historical, cultural, scientific, landscaping and archeological importance. Included by UNESCO in the area of Reserva da Biosfera da Mata Atlântica, the JBRJ covers a physical area of 137 hectares, 38.8 of which is cultivated (visitable) and 98.2 of which are remnants of the Atlantic Forest. located inside the jardim botânico is the centro cultural tom jobim, quickly becoming a point of reference in rio's growing landscape of cultural centers.
