ABSTRACT
Rio de Janeiro is known as the “Marvelous City” because of its astonishing landscapes. The city is located in a biodiversity hotspot: the Atlantic Forest. The Tijuca National Park is a democratic space where people from different parts of the city gather and socialize, no matter their social status. The park offers many cultural services, such as recreation, exercise, contemplation, connecting with nature, learning about history and culture. Until the 19th century the source of water was the rivers and creeks located in what today is the Tijuca National Park. Tijuca was proclaimed a National Park by law in 1961 to celebrate the afforestation program that was started in 1861. This status gave national and international visibility to the precious area that has been protected thenceforth. In 2004, a federal law incorporated the Parque Lage, a historical and cultural site that borders the original park and reaches the very center of the city.
