Monte Pascoal, a peak 586 m high, was the first land sighted when the Portuguese discovered Brazil in 1500.  The Park was dedicated in 1961 at which time it covered 22,500 ha; the Park's area was later reduced to 14,000 ha, with most of the excluded territory given to the local Pataxós Indian tribe (Padua & Coimbra Filho 1989, Soares & Ascoly 1970).  Some of the 14,000 ha, especially the part nearest the coast, have been exploited by the Pataxós and are disturbed.  The park lies ca. 250 km south of Ilhéus and extends westward from the coast 30 km to Monte Pascoal (16º53'-16º58'S, 39º07'-39º25'W; see satellite image).  The area receives approximately 1,500-1750 mm per year of rainfall with 1-2 dry months per year.  Annual temperatures average 22-24ºC (IBAMA/BA without date).  The vegetation of the eastern part of the Park is restinga and mangrove and of the western part, southern Bahian wet forest over laterite.

View east across the Park from the top of Monte Pascoal