By Henry Arnault Everyone has heard about the Amazon Rainforest, the largest tropical jungle in the world, and which mostly occupies the country of Brazil throughout the South American continent. But what about adding a visit to the Atlantic Forest to your Brazil travel packages?
It's not surprising that in a country of Brazil's size that there are multiple major forests to speak of. The Atlantic Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is situated in the northeast and extends southward along the Atlantic Ocean coast into northeastern Argentina and even southwestern Paraguay. Like the Amazon, it is humid and wet, but in the Atlantic Forest, the average temperature is considerably lower, a feature that helps to contribute to its extensive wildlife diversity. As well, this forest is unique in that it spreads over a large range of elevations, resulting in a number of smaller microclimate forests along the way. In fact, it is actually a conglomeration of multiple types of forest: low regions focused on sand dunes, coastal bits with many evergreens, inland deciduous portions where the leaves fall when the weather gets colder, shrubby savannas at high altitudes, and more. The area it covered was once much larger, but unfortunately, due to deforestation such as illegal logging, land conversion for agricultural and pastoral activities, and the expansion of urban human centers, an estimated more than 80-95% of the original forest has been cleared to the current existence today. All of this destruction makes it the second most threatened biome in the world after Madagascar off the western coast of Africa.
Still, it is a fantastic place to visit to learn more and get intimate with nature. It is easily accessible from cities such as Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. As well, it is home to over 2,200 species of animals, and more than 20,000 types of plants (including 458 tree species), of which many are especially endemic to the region. The canopies are rich with life, and contain biologically fascinating subculture of jungle nature. Many of the species are endangered, so one will find a number of conservation centers and projects who focus on protecting these creatures so they survive into the future.
And if the experience of all the exotic wildlife is not enough for you, consider visiting the more than 50 archaeological sites dispersed in the area. For other activities on the forest's lands, travelers may organize beach stays and swimming around the delicate coral reefs.
This article about the Atlantic Forest in Brazil was written by a travel expert at Brazil For Less who specializes in helping you organize best value Brazil tour packages for your fully customizable Brazil vacation.
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