[2] The area includes parts of the states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

In Minas Gerais it includes the municipalities of Aiuruoca, Alagoa, Bocaina de Minas, Baependi, Delfim Moreira, Itamonte, Itanhandu, Liberdade, Marmelópolis, Passa Quatro, Passa-Vinte, Piranguçu, Pouso Alto, Virgínia and Wenceslau Braz.

[3] The terrain consists of rugged mountain ranges, with peaks over 2,000 metres (6,600 ft).

From 1,100 to 2,000 metres (3,600 to 6,600 ft) there is mixed dense rainforest and upper montane forest, with specimens of Araucaria angustifolia (Brazilian pine).

Endemic fauna include the Maldonada redbelly toad (Melanophryniscus moreirae).