On a chilly Thursday morning, the Parque Nacional do Itatiaia in Rio de Janeiro made headlines by recording the third lowest temperature in Brazil. As the world woke up to the news of -2.7ºC being marked by a meteorological station at around 1:47 am, the park’s Morro da Antena stood high at approximately 2,580 meters above sea level, offering a breathtaking view of the Morro do Couto, the Pico das Agulhas Negras, and the rural expanse of Itamonte, Minas Gerais.
The ranking of these bone-chilling temperatures is meticulously curated by the WS Climatological Consulting, a company in partnership with the Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology. While the Parque Nacional do Itatiaia’s -2.7ºC was notably cold, it trailed behind General Carneiro station in Paraná, which recorded -3.3ºC at 5 am, and the Instituto Friburgo Solidário in Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, where temperatures dipped to -2.9ºC at 1:12 am. The park’s mercury levels fluctuated, showing -1.8ºC around 3 am and a slightly warmer -0.3ºC at 7:59 am.
Established in June 1937, the Parque Nacional do Itatiaia holds the distinction of being Brazil’s first national park, proudly managed by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio). Nestled in the Serra da Mantiqueira, straddling the states of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro near the border with São Paulo, the park’s expansive boundaries encompass Itatiaia, Resende, and the picturesque towns of Itamonte and Bocaina de Minas. Originally spanning about 12,000 hectares, its territory was later expanded to 28,000 hectares in September 1982.
Dominated by majestic mountains and rugged rock formations, the park boasts the iconic Pico das Agulhas Negras as its highest peak, towering at 2,791.5 meters above sea level and ranking as the nation’s fifth tallest summit. The allure of the Parque Nacional do Itatiaia lies not only in its frosty temperature records but also in its rich biodiversity, encompassing a diverse range of flora and fauna that thrive in its pristine natural habitat.
As visitors and researchers flock to this ecological haven, the frigid temperature readings serve as a stark reminder of nature’s raw power and the delicate balance that sustains our planet’s ecosystems. The Parque Nacional do Itatiaia stands as a testament to the importance of conservation efforts and environmental stewardship in safeguarding our natural heritage for future generations.
In the tranquil embrace of the Serra da Mantiqueira, where the whispers of the wind carry tales of resilience and beauty, the Parque Nacional do Itatiaia continues to inspire awe and reverence, inviting all who venture within its bounds to witness the timeless dance of nature unfolding in its purest form.
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