Pedra da Gavea, Rio de Janeiro

Pedra da Gávea stands as a massive solitary mountain located within the Tijuca Forest of Rio de Janeiro. Comprised of granite and gneiss, it reaches an impressive elevation of 844 meters (2,769 feet), making it one of the world's highest mountains that directly meets the ocean. The establishment of trails on the mountain dates back to the early 1800s when local farmers initiated their creation. Presently, the site falls under the jurisdiction of the Tijuca National Park.

The mountain's name, "Pedra da Gávea," translates to "Rock of the Topsail" and was bestowed upon it during Captain Gaspar de Lemos' expedition, which commenced in 1501. It is worth noting that this expedition also led to the naming of the bay, originally known as Rio de Janeiro Bay and later as Guanabara Bay, which ultimately lent its name to the city. The mountain earned its moniker from the sailors of the expedition who, upon sighting it on January 1, 1502, found its silhouette strikingly reminiscent of the shape of a topsail of a carrack. Subsequently, this name became associated with the Gávea district of Rio de Janeiro.

Differential weathering on one side of the rock has given rise to what is commonly described as a stylized human face, while markings on another face of the rock have been interpreted as an inscription. It is the consensus among geologists and scientists that the so-called "inscription" is a result of erosion, and the perceived "face" is a product of pareidolia, which is the human tendency to see familiar patterns or shapes in random stimuli.