much of sugarloaf mountain is bare, revealing the rugged granite surface, but there are sporadic patches of green vegetation, remnants of the atlantic forest, which contains a huge diversity of rare plant species and animals, as well as a number of endemic species.

the beauty of this mountain and its uniqueness gained worldwide recognition starting in the second half of the 19th century, when french graphic artist jean baptiste debret made it the subject of his work.

around the same time, german designer and painter johann moritz rugenda also focused on the famous landmark, helping to expand its visibility worldwide -  since then, the site has only become more and more tied to the international image of brazil and of rio de janeiro, with various famous visitors, as well as musical artists playing shows on its peak or more often just below it on the morro da urca, where stages and small eateries are located.