The Ilha Grande State Park ( Portuguese : Parque Estadual da Ilha Grande ) is a state park in the state of Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
18-511: The Ilha Grande State Park is on the island of Ilha Grande off the south coast of Rio de Janeiro near the border with São Paulo , in the Angra dos Reis municipality. Although within the area of the Bocaina Mosaic of protected areas, as of 2016 the park was not among the mosaic's conservation units. It covers 62.5% of the island, with an area of 12,072 hectares (29,830 acres). Along with
36-504: A maximum-security prison ( Colônia Penal de Dois Rios , later known as Instituto Penal Cândido Mendes ). The Cândido Mendes Penal Colony, which housed some of the most dangerous offenders in Brazil, was closed in 1994. On 1 January 2010, devastating mudslides killed at least 19 people on the island. On 5 July 2019, Ilha Grande and Paraty were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Ilha Grande and Paraty are contained within
54-593: Is a 193 km (75 sq mi) forested island located around 12 km (7.5 mi) off of the Atlantic coast of Angra dos Reis , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil , and about 243 km (151 mi) from São Paulo . The highest point on Ilha Grande is the 1,031 m (3,383 ft) tall Pico da Pedra D'Água. For almost a century, the Brazilian government declared the island off-limits, banning unauthorized entry, as it had contained an immigration quarantine station and, later,
72-794: Is an old lighthouse, aqueduct, dam and hydroelectric power plant, the ruins of two prisons, stone paths from the colonial era and several ruined farmhouses. The state park is administered by the Instituto Estadual do Ambiente of Rio de Janeiro. Any predatory actions that could harm the environment are forbidden, including cutting trees, pulling up seedlings, hunting and fishing, feeding or harming animals, agriculture, or residential, commercial or industrial occupation. The main beaches are supervised. The island still suffers from problems such as growing numbers of visitors, poor garbage collection, lack of sewage treatment, illegal construction and predatory hunting and fishing. The Ilha Grande State Park
90-514: Is made up of mountains with small plains irrigated with dozens of streams of clear water, with pools, rapids and waterfalls. More than 90% of the park is covered by Atlantic Forest . There are also restingas , heaths and mangroves. The island has eight beautiful beaches, separated by section of rocky shore and cliffs that plunge into the sea. The surrounding marine habitat supports a rich marine life. There are archaeological remains of tools and middens from 3,000 years ago. Of more recent date there
108-633: The Bocaina Mosaic of protected areas, as of 2016 the park was not among the mosaic's conservation units. It covers 62.5% of the island, with an area of 12,072 hectares (29,830 acres). Along with the Praia do Sul Biological Reserve and the Aventureiro Sustainable Development Reserve , 87% of the island or 16,972 hectares (41,940 acres) are protected. It is within the 12,400 hectares (31,000 acres) Tamoios Environmental Protection Area , created in 1982. The island
126-421: The Praia do Sul Biological Reserve and the Aventureiro Sustainable Development Reserve , 87% of the island or 16,972 hectares (41,940 acres) are protected. It is within the 12,400 hectares (31,000 acres) Tamoios Environmental Protection Area , created in 1982. The island is made up of mountains with small plains irrigated with dozens of streams of clear water, with pools, rapids and waterfalls. More than 90% of
144-776: The hairy dwarf porcupine . Several species of bat also inhabit caves on the island, mainly from the Artibeus , Molossus and Saccopteryx genera , emerging at sunset to feed on swarms of flying insects. At least 40-50 species of reptiles and amphibians can be found on the island, including the Argentine black-and-white tegu , Brazilian torrent frog , Bocaina tree frog , broad-snouted caiman , chicken snakes , Chironius , Dipsas and Echinanthera snakes, garden tree boa , geckos , Imantodes snakes, Jackson's and Brazilian fathead anoles , lava lizards , mabuya , painted coralsnake , smallhead worm lizards and
162-448: The southern right whale , humpback whale , Bryde's whale , orca and rough-toothed dolphins . Most of the visitor facilities, lodging and the park headquarters are located at Vila do Abraão. The village may be reached from the mainland by local ferries. The island is an ecotourism destination. Although it has no roads and motorised vehicles are banned , the island has more than 150 km (93 mi) of hiking trails connecting
180-416: The venomous Yarará lancehead . Invertebrates and arthropods number in the hundreds, with at least 400-500 species identified on Ilha Grande. The seas around the island, which are also a protected marine reserve, feature a unique convergence of tropical equatorial, subtropical and temperate currents, enabling one to see corals , tropical fish, sharks , hawksbill sea turtles and cetaceans , such as
198-480: The 12,400 hectares (31,000 acres) of Tamoios Environmental Protection Area (APA), created in 1982. The main island (and APA) contains the Aventureiro Sustainable Development Reserve , created in 2014 from the former Aventureiro Marine State Park, which was integrated with the Praia do Sul Biological Reserve . 62.5% of the island is covered by the Ilha Grande State Park , giving a total of 87% of
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#1732790706071216-412: The coastal villages and hamlets. A common activity for visitors is to trek to Lopes Mendes beach, about a two-hour hike from Vila do Abraão. Travel companies offer trips to see the island's various beaches, mountains trails and waterfalls. A popular outdoor destination, the island remains largely undeveloped as much of the area falls within Ilha Grande State Park ( Parque Estadual da Ilha Grande ). Thus,
234-1058: The island protected status. Ilha Grande is one of the most pristine examples of Brazil's endangered Atlantic rainforest habitat, containing a multitude of species of plants and animals. A hotspot for biodiversity and conservation, Ilha Grande is home to at least 110 resident and migratory avian species, including Magellanic penguins and red-ruffed fruitcrows . The island has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports significant populations of solitary tinamous , white-necked hawks , red-browed amazons , unicolored antwrens , cinnamon-vented pihas , bare-throated bellbirds , and azure-shouldered and black-backed tanagers . There are at least 20 species of mammals , from capybara and coatimundi to primates , such as common and black-tufted marmosets and brown howler monkeys . Smaller animals, such as rodents and carnivores , include gray slender and big-eared opossums , Brazilian squirrel , crab-eating fox and raccoon , red-rumped agouti and
252-404: The island, Vila do Abraão . Ilha Grande State Park The Ilha Grande State Park ( Portuguese : Parque Estadual da Ilha Grande ) is a state park in the state of Rio de Janeiro , Brazil. The Ilha Grande State Park is on the island of Ilha Grande off the south coast of Rio de Janeiro near the border with São Paulo , in the Angra dos Reis municipality. Although within the area of
270-437: The park is covered by Atlantic Forest . There are also restingas , heaths and mangroves. The island has eight beautiful beaches, separated by section of rocky shore and cliffs that plunge into the sea. The surrounding marine habitat supports a rich marine life. There are archaeological remains of tools and middens from 3,000 years ago. Of more recent date there is an old lighthouse, aqueduct, dam and hydroelectric power plant,
288-412: The remainder of the island is subject to stringent development restrictions in order to preserve the natural environment; vehicles are not permitted and roads are virtually non-existent. For visitors, an hour-long, pre-paid boat excursion is the sole way to access the island. Several small villas and hamlets cater to researchers, tourists and nature-lovers, and around 2,000 people inhabit the largest town on
306-656: The ruins of two prisons, stone paths from the colonial era and several ruined farmhouses. The state park is administered by the Instituto Estadual do Ambiente of Rio de Janeiro. Any predatory actions that could harm the environment are forbidden, including cutting trees, pulling up seedlings, hunting and fishing, feeding or harming animals, agriculture, or residential, commercial or industrial occupation. The main beaches are supervised. The island still suffers from problems such as growing numbers of visitors, poor garbage collection, lack of sewage treatment, illegal construction and predatory hunting and fishing. The Ilha Grande State Park
324-594: Was created on 28 July 1971 to preserve the natural resources and support tourism on the Ilha Grande. When created the park had an area of 4,330 hectares (10,700 acres). It was officially established with land use regulated on 25 August 1978. It was expanded to cover 12,072 hectares (29,830 acres) in 2007, or 62.5% of the island. It is part of the 221,754 hectares (547,970 acres) Bocaina Mosaic , created in 2006. Ilha Grande Ilha Grande ( Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈiʎɐ ˈɡɾɐ̃dʒi] ), or "big island",
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