Ilha Grande
Encyclopedia
Ilha Grande (ˈiʎɐ ˈgɾɜ̃dʒi literal translation: Big Island) is an island located off the coast of Rio de Janeiro
state, Brazil
, and part of the municipality of Angra dos Reis
. The island is largely undeveloped and noted for its scenic beauty, which includes tropical beaches, luxuriant vegetation and a rugged landscape. The land area is 193 km² and the highest point is Pico da Pedra D'Água, at 1031 m. It once held a notorious prison, now closed.
Ilha Grande is one of the most pristine remnants of Brazil's Atlantic rainforest
, one of the richest ecosystems in the world, and a hotspot for biodiversity and conservation. It holds some of the largest remaining populations of many endangered species, including the red-ruffed fruitcrow
(Pyroderus scutatus), the brown howler monkey
(Alouatta fusca), the maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus) the red-browed Amazon
parrot (Amazona rhodocorytha), and the broad-snouted caiman
(Caiman latirostris). The seas around the island, which are also protected, feature a unique convergence of tropical, subtropical, and temperate-zone marine life, and may be the only waters in the world where it is possible to see corals and tropical fish along with Magellanic penguin
s and Southern right whale
s.
The entire island is a protected area, with most of its territory included in Ilha Grande State Park, and the rest subject to stringent development restrictions. Small-scale ecotourism, however, is encouraged, and the island, which is roadless and off-limits to cars, features over 150 km of hiking trails connecting the handful of coastal villages and hamlets, where lodging is available, to one another and to the many beaches, mountain peaks, waterfalls, and pristine forests.
The largest village on the island is called Vila do Abraão, with 1900 inhabitants. Most of the visitor facilities and the park headquarters are located there. The village can be reached from the mainland by local ferries and fast catamarans.
The island was the scene of a devastating mudslide on January 1, 2010 killing at least 19 people.
Rio de Janeiro (state)
Rio de Janeiro is one of the 27 states of Brazil.Rio de Janeiro has the second largest economy of Brazil behind only São Paulo state.The state of Rio de Janeiro is located within the Brazilian geopolitical region classified as the Southeast...
state, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, and part of the municipality of Angra dos Reis
Angra dos Reis
Angra dos Reis is a Brazilian municipality located in the southern part of Rio de Janeiro state. It is located at an altitude of 6 meters and includes in its territory 365 offshore islands. It was discovered on January 6, 1502, but has been under continual settlement since 1556. Its population...
. The island is largely undeveloped and noted for its scenic beauty, which includes tropical beaches, luxuriant vegetation and a rugged landscape. The land area is 193 km² and the highest point is Pico da Pedra D'Água, at 1031 m. It once held a notorious prison, now closed.
Ilha Grande is one of the most pristine remnants of Brazil's Atlantic rainforest
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
, one of the richest ecosystems in the world, and a hotspot for biodiversity and conservation. It holds some of the largest remaining populations of many endangered species, including the red-ruffed fruitcrow
Red-ruffed Fruitcrow
The Red-ruffed Fruitcrow is a species of bird in the Cotingidae family, in the monotypic genus Pyroderus. It is among the largest Passerines in South America, though it is surpassed by another cotinga, the Amazonian Umbrellabird...
(Pyroderus scutatus), the brown howler monkey
Brown Howler
The Brown howler , also known as Brown howling monkey, is a species of howler monkey, a type of New World monkey, that lives in forests in south-eastern Brazil and far north-eastern Argentina . It lives in groups of 2 to 11 individuals...
(Alouatta fusca), the maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus) the red-browed Amazon
Red-browed Amazon
The Red-browed Amazon is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family.It is endemic to Atlantic Forest in eastern Brazil...
parrot (Amazona rhodocorytha), and the broad-snouted caiman
Broad-snouted Caiman
The broad-snouted caiman is a crocodilian reptile found in eastern and central South America, including southeastern Brazil, northern Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia. It is found mostly in freshwater marshes, swamps, and mangroves. Usually, in still or very slow moving waters...
(Caiman latirostris). The seas around the island, which are also protected, feature a unique convergence of tropical, subtropical, and temperate-zone marine life, and may be the only waters in the world where it is possible to see corals and tropical fish along with Magellanic penguin
Magellanic Penguin
The Magellanic Penguin, Spheniscus magellanicus, is a South American penguin, breeding in coastal Argentina, Chile and the Falkland Islands, with some migrating to Brazil where they are occasionally seen as far north as Rio de Janeiro. It is the most numerous of the Spheniscus penguins. Its nearest...
s and Southern right whale
Southern Right Whale
The southern right whale is a baleen whale, one of three species classified as right whales belonging to the genus Eubalaena. Like other right whales, the southern right whale is readily distinguished from others by the callosities on its head, a broad back without a dorsal fin, and a long arching...
s.
The entire island is a protected area, with most of its territory included in Ilha Grande State Park, and the rest subject to stringent development restrictions. Small-scale ecotourism, however, is encouraged, and the island, which is roadless and off-limits to cars, features over 150 km of hiking trails connecting the handful of coastal villages and hamlets, where lodging is available, to one another and to the many beaches, mountain peaks, waterfalls, and pristine forests.
The largest village on the island is called Vila do Abraão, with 1900 inhabitants. Most of the visitor facilities and the park headquarters are located there. The village can be reached from the mainland by local ferries and fast catamarans.
The island was the scene of a devastating mudslide on January 1, 2010 killing at least 19 people.