Horto Florestal, Brazil

Wonder: Horto Florestal 

Country: Brazil
Region: Sao Paulo
Visitable: Yes
About:
Horto Florestal is a major recreational center in Sao Paulo, with different areas that respect the environment and the development of ecosystems exists there.

Estadual Alberto Löfgren State Park or also known as Horto Florestal is located at north of Sao Paulo, some eleven miles from the city. It occupies an area of 174 hectares at the foot of the Serra da Cantareira. More specifically the end of the Rua do Horto within Cantareira State Park, in the neighborhood of Tremembé.

The Horto Florestal includes various areas such as the picnic area, playground, jogging track, trails, mineral springs, fitness equipment, two lakes with islands formed by tree roots, and Forestry Museum. You can also find the Summer Palace of the State Government, public residence which houses the current governor.

Also it has one of the largest display collections of wood in all Latin America, housed in the Forestry Museum Otavio Vecchi. The museum is associated with the Forest Institute of Sao Paulo, which coordinates all the conservation efforts within Sao Paulo state. The Institute is a place where researchers and students can come to learn and conduct studies concerning biological sciences, especially focusing on medicinal plants and the health of fruit trees in Northeastern Brazil.

Also you can see many animals such as: turtles, herons, monkeys, ducks, capybaras, geese, wild birds and other wildlife. It offers to the visitors a direct contact with nature, and its diversity of flora and fauna. And people can take a dip in the lake on a hot day.

HISTORY
Horto Florestal is one of the largest parks in Sao Paulo, and is certainly one of the most visited by tourists and locals alike. It was created by Decree 335 of February 10, 1896 by the Swedish botanist Geographic and Geological Commission of the State, Alberto Löfgren. For this reason, the park takes his name.

Horto Florestal, Sao Paulo City

With the aim to promote culture diversity in the State of Sao Paulo, since 1903, the Company Paulista Caminos de Hierro y del Rio, they began to acquire land along the railways.

In 1904, Edmundo Navarro de Andrade performed the first experiments to determine a forestry substance capable of supplying wood and fuelwood to meet the needs of the railway. After 6 years, he concluded that it was eucalyptus, which is why he decided to plant this tree on a large scale. That's why the Paulista Company acquired more land to expand the cultivation of eucalyptus.

In 1909 the company purchased a property of 1403 hectares. Then in 1910 other was a bit smaller, but by mid-1916, the old company acquired the largest of all territories it had: 1754 hectares. Today, the garden displays more than 60 living species of eucalyptus, and has 2222 hectares of land of 3158 hectares initials, because they had to sell pieces of land.

The Forestry Museum was opened in 1931, it is known internationally for having the largest collection of wood in Latin America.

In 1977, the Horto Florestal was taken into account by COMDEPHAAT, given its potential and historical development of forestry in Brazil.

You can enjoy the incredible natural beauty of Horto Floresta, and you can hiking or bike trails, and you can learn about the important plant studies being carried out there, all at the same time.