Jau National Park is located in the state of Amazonia. It is one of the largest parks in Brazil. Jau was founded in 1980, and in 2000 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. In 2003, after being merged with other conservation areas, it was incorporated into the Central Amazon Conservation Complex.
The Jau includes areas of several Amazonian ecosystems: low floodplains for many months, high floodplains that periodically flooded, and the never-flooded areas of the interfluves. It is this morphology of the topography determines the character of the flora and fauna. The diversity of fauna is also influenced by the black rivers. They are deeper than ordinary rivers, and the water is clear with a dark tinge due to decomposing plants.
Jau is famous for its diversity of flora. There are up to 180 different plant species. There are only about 5 tiers of plants in the forest, of which three are trees. All kinds of palm trees - elephant palm, pashiubas, irriatrea, piriuao - make up the upper tiers. You'll also find a wide variety of ficus and legumes. The typical Brazilian Milk Tree also grows in large numbers in the protected park. It's known for its sweet fruits that taste like milk. The chocolate tree grows in Jau (cacao), mahogany, ferns, various species of bromeliads and plaunas. Giant fragrant flowers, trees and shrubs intertwined with vines and aerial roots are often found.
The park is also home to a large number of animals, including sloths, anteaters, manatees, opossums, armadillos, crocodiles and black caimans.
There are many eco-tours organised in Jau National Park. Their duration vary from a couple of hours to several days. Tourists are offered hunting, fishing, horseback riding, hiking and boat tours.
