Situated in the Jardim Botânico neighborhood within the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro, the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, or Jardim Botânico, occupies a 140-hectare (350-acre) site at the base of Corcovado Mountain, beneath the right arm of the Christ the Redeemer statue. Approximately 40 percent of the total park area, covering 54 hectares (130 acres), consists of cultivated grounds, while the remainder is made up of natural Atlantic Forest extending along the slopes of the mountain.
Established in 1808 by King John VI of Portugal, the grounds were originally created to adapt imported spices such as cinnamon, pepper, and nutmeg from the West Indies to the local climate. The site was made accessible to the public in 1822. Today, the location is protected by the Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional and was designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1992.
The garden displays a wide diversity of Brazilian and foreign flora, housing roughly 6,500 species—including endangered varieties—and 900 types of palm trees. Notable plant highlights include greenhouses and collections of orchids, bromeliads, cacti, and carnivorous plants, as well as Victoria lilies in the Lago Frei Leandro pond. Leading into the grounds from the entrance is the Avenue of Royal Palms, a 750-meter (2,460-foot) path lined with 134 palm trees, all descended from a single original tree, the Palma Mater, which was destroyed by lightning.
Beyond its plant collections, the site houses an active research institute with taxonomists dedicated to identifying and conserving neotropical flora. The institute contains the largest specialized botanical library in the country, holding over 32,000 volumes alongside archives of photographs, dried fruits, and rare native plants. Visitors can also view various historical and artistic features, such as a Japanese Garden, an old gunpowder factory, and numerous sculptures and fountains. Among these is the painted cast-iron Fountain of the Muses, manufactured in Derby, UK, which formed part of the landscaping by English painter John Tydall at Henrique Lage's villa at Largo da Lapa until 1895.
Wildlife is abundant throughout the park, which is home to 140 bird species, including the channel-billed toucan, rusty-margined guan, slaty-breasted wood rail, and the endangered endemic white-necked hawk. Mammals such as capuchin monkeys and tufted-eared marmosets are also frequently seen. The botanical garden is open to visitors daily during daylight hours, closing only on December 25 and January 1.
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