Founded in 1808 by King John VI of Portugal, The Botanical Garden shows the diversity of Brazilian and foreign flora. The 140-hectare park lies at the foot of the Corcovado Mountain, far below the right arm of the statue of Christ the Redeemer and contains more than 6,000 different species of tropical and subtropical plants and trees, including 900 varieties of palm trees. The Garden also houses monuments of historical, artistic and archaeological significance. The Botanical Garden has an important research institute, which develops a wide range of botanical studies in Brazil.