RODRIGO DE FREITAS LAGOON

Description

Essentials about the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon in brief

The Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon is a 2.4 square meter lagoon located in the south of Rio de Janeiro and is one of the most popular recreational areas in the city. The lagoon is primarily a competition site for rowing and canoeing. However, a walk or bicycle ride around the lagoon, which is about eight kilometers long, is also a popular pastime for many Rio residents.

The location of the Rodigo de Freitas Lagoon

The Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon is located between the popular neighborhoods of Copacabana and Humaitá to the east, Ipanema and Leblon to the south, Gávea to the west and Lagoa to the north. There are two islands in the lagoon, Ilha Poraquê on the northwestern shore and Ilha Caiçaras on the southern shore.

It is fed by smaller tributaries from the nearby hills. In addition, the lagoon is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by a channel, so it is also filled with brackish water. The Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon is named after a Portuguese military man who came into possession of a large estate around the lagoon through marriage at the beginning of the 18th century.

The Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon as a sports and recreation area

The lagoon is mainly used as a competition venue for rowing and canoeing. A modern infrastructure is available for this purpose, which was also used for the competitors of the 2016 Summer Olympics. Those who prefer to travel by land rather than water can also walk or cycle the approximately eight-kilometer route around the lagoon. Especially in the later afternoon, when temperatures in Rio are a bit more pleasant again, the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon fills up with people who end their day here doing sports and relaxing.