Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea, UNESCO World Heritage protected landscape in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro's Carioca Landscapes is a heritage site stretching from mountains to the ocean, linking Sugarloaf Mountain, Guanabara Bay, and Tijuca National Park. The protected area weaves together urban neighborhoods, forested slopes, and beaches where buildings and nature coexist.
The area was once covered entirely by Atlantic rainforest before Portuguese settlers began clearing it for sugar and coffee plantations in the 1600s and 1700s. This early transformation shaped the hills permanently and created the mixed landscape visible today.
The Christ statue and Sugarloaf Mountain are woven into how locals see themselves and their city. Residents pass through these landscapes daily, treating them as shared spaces that define what it means to be from Rio.
Different areas are accessible by buses and cable cars, with clearer views in the morning hours. Comfortable shoes and water are important since many viewpoints require walking and the sun can be intense.
The terrain creates a natural amphitheater with slopes framing Guanabara Bay like a theater of nature. This geographic shape makes Rio one of the few major cities where wild mountain forests nearly touch the ocean.
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