The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden is a major research and conservation institution located in the Jardim Botânico district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Founded by King John VI of Portugal in 1808, the garden originally aimed to acclimatize spices like nutmeg, pepper, and cinnamon imported from the West Indies. Today, it covers 54 hectares and houses over 6,500 species of plants, including some endangered.
The Botanical Garden’s layout is a blend of structured European design and the informal style of a landscape park. The Main Avenue, lined with 134 towering Royal Palms native to Brazil, is a striking example of its design. These trees lead to the Fountain of the Muses, a key feature of the garden.
Significant collections include the Amazonic section, orchidarium, and bromeliad greenhouse, displaying the incredible biodiversity of Brazilian flora. Moreover, it hosts a well-preserved Atlantic Forest fragment, a research library, a herbarium, and several thematic gardens.
Aside from its plant collections, the garden is home to over 140 species of birds, making it a popular spot for bird watching. Monkeys, tufted-eared marmosets, and the endangered broad-snouted caiman can also be spotted within its boundaries.
Official website: https://www.gov.br/jbrj/en
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