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Rio de Janeiro ("River of January“Rio de Janeiro ("River of January“))is the capital city is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South Americaarea and agglomeration in South America

The city was the capital of Brazil for nearly two The city was the capital of Brazil for nearly two centuries, from 1763 to 1822 during the centuries, from 1763 to 1822 during the Portuguese colonial era, and from 1822 to 1960 as Portuguese colonial era, and from 1822 to 1960 as an independent nationan independent nation

Statue of Christ, known as Statue of Christ, known as Christ the Redeemer ('Cristo Christ the Redeemer ('Cristo Redentor')Redentor')

And much charm and And much charm and beauty…beauty…

CountryCountry Brazil Brazil RegionRegion SoutheastSoutheast StateState Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro FoundedFounded March 1, 1565March 1, 1565 GovernmentGovernment - Mayor- Mayor Eduardo Paes (PMDB) (2009–2012)Eduardo Paes (PMDB) (2009–2012) AreaArea - Municipality- Municipality 1,260 km2 (486.5 sq mi)1,260 km2 (486.5 sq mi) ElevationElevation from 0 to 1,021 m (from 0 to 3,349 ft)from 0 to 1,021 m (from 0 to 3,349 ft) Population (2008)Population (2008) - Municipality- Municipality 6,093,472 (2nd)6,093,472 (2nd) - Density- Density 4,781/km2 (12,382.7/sq mi)4,781/km2 (12,382.7/sq mi) - Metro- Metro 14,387,00014,387,000 Time zoneTime zone BST (UTC-3)BST (UTC-3) - Summer (DST)- Summer (DST) BDT (UTC-2)BDT (UTC-2) Postal CodePostal Code 20000-00020000-000 Area code(s)Area code(s) 2121 HDI (2000)HDI (2000) 0.842 – high0.842 – high WebsiteWebsite City of Rio de JaneiroCity of Rio de Janeiro

The Centre "Centro," the core of Rio, lies The Centre "Centro," the core of Rio, lies on the plains of the western shore of on the plains of the western shore of Guanabara Bay.Guanabara Bay.

The greater portion of the city, commonly The greater portion of the city, commonly referred to as the North Zone "Zona referred to as the North Zone "Zona Norte," extends to the northwest on plains Norte," extends to the northwest on plains composed of marine and continental composed of marine and continental sediments and on hills and several rocky sediments and on hills and several rocky mountainsmountains

Rio lies on a strip of Brazil's Atlantic Rio lies on a strip of Brazil's Atlantic coast, close to the Tropic of Capricorn, coast, close to the Tropic of Capricorn, where the shoreline is oriented east-where the shoreline is oriented east-west.west.

The city largely faces south. It was The city largely faces south. It was founded on an inlet of this stretch of founded on an inlet of this stretch of the coast, Guanabara Bay (Baía de the coast, Guanabara Bay (Baía de Guanabara), the entrance to which is Guanabara), the entrance to which is marked by a point of land called Sugar marked by a point of land called Sugar Loaf (Pão de Açúcar), a "calling card" Loaf (Pão de Açúcar), a "calling card" of the city.of the city.

The South Zone "Zona Sul" of the city, The South Zone "Zona Sul" of the city, reaching the beaches fringing the open reaching the beaches fringing the open sea, is cut off from the Centre and from sea, is cut off from the Centre and from the North Zone by coastal mountains.the North Zone by coastal mountains.

These mountains and hills are offshoots of These mountains and hills are offshoots of the Serra do Mar to the northwest, an the Serra do Mar to the northwest, an ancient gneiss-granite mountain chain that ancient gneiss-granite mountain chain that forms the southern slopes of the Brazilian forms the southern slopes of the Brazilian HighlandsHighlands

The large West Zone "Zona Oeste," The large West Zone "Zona Oeste," long cut off by the mountainous long cut off by the mountainous terrain, had been made accessible by terrain, had been made accessible by new roads and tunnels by the end of new roads and tunnels by the end of the 20th century.the 20th century.

The city occupying an area of The city occupying an area of 1,182.3 square cilometres (456.5 sq 1,182.3 square cilometres (456.5 sq mi)mi)

The City of Samba is the latest tourist attraction in Rio de Janeiro, The City of Samba is the latest tourist attraction in Rio de Janeiro, occupying an area of 114.000 sq. meters, built in the port district occupying an area of 114.000 sq. meters, built in the port district by the City Hall, at Rua Rivadávia Corrêa 60, Gamboa, a district by the City Hall, at Rua Rivadávia Corrêa 60, Gamboa, a district neighboring downtown. There is a reason for this choice of neighboring downtown. There is a reason for this choice of location for the thematiclocation for the thematic city, since it is here, considered to be city, since it is here, considered to be "Sacred Ground," that the Carioca samba was born. The triangle, "Sacred Ground," that the Carioca samba was born. The triangle, which includes the neighborhoods of Saúde, Santo Cristo and which includes the neighborhoods of Saúde, Santo Cristo and Gamboa has a great concentration of the City's popular culture, Gamboa has a great concentration of the City's popular culture, notably the personalities and entities, linked to the Carioca notably the personalities and entities, linked to the Carioca Carnaval. The design of The City of Samba forms a geometrical Carnaval. The design of The City of Samba forms a geometrical figure, withfigure, with factories surrounding the main square. They seem like factories surrounding the main square. They seem like parts of a group, linking hands, forming a large circle. It is as if the parts of a group, linking hands, forming a large circle. It is as if the world of the samba were embracing its ancestors, who were world of the samba were embracing its ancestors, who were around here during the 17th and 18th centuries, bringing the art around here during the 17th and 18th centuries, bringing the art of African dance and music, to be incorporated today to Brazilian of African dance and music, to be incorporated today to Brazilian cultural traditions. The thematic city will transform samba school cultural traditions. The thematic city will transform samba school activities into a permanent practice. More than a tourist attraction, activities into a permanent practice. More than a tourist attraction, The City of Samba has become a production center of genuine The City of Samba has become a production center of genuine Brazilian artBrazilian art

Christ Redeemer, symbol of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Christ Redeemer, symbol of the city of Rio de Janeiro, is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This iconic post card subject stands 38 meters high, and iconic post card subject stands 38 meters high, and had its corner stone set in 1922 and its opening on had its corner stone set in 1922 and its opening on October 12, 1931. From its 38 meter of height, and October 12, 1931. From its 38 meter of height, and 710 meters of710 meters of the Corcovado Hill, the Christ is the the Corcovado Hill, the Christ is the image of the carioca people faith and sympathy and image of the carioca people faith and sympathy and celebrates, in 2008, 77 years of existence. Since May celebrates, in 2008, 77 years of existence. Since May 2000, when it received new lighting, the monument 2000, when it received new lighting, the monument and its accesses have been and its accesses have been modernized. The high modernized. The high point was the opening of the mechanized access in point was the opening of the mechanized access in 2002, with panoramic elevators and escalators. Thus, 2002, with panoramic elevators and escalators. Thus, there is no longer the need to climb 220 steps of there is no longer the need to climb 220 steps of stairs that lead to the statue's feet.stairs that lead to the statue's feet.

Sugar Loaf cable car. An idea of Brazilian engineer Augusto Sugar Loaf cable car. An idea of Brazilian engineer Augusto Ferreira Ramos inaugurated on October 27, 1912, had its ninetieth Ferreira Ramos inaugurated on October 27, 1912, had its ninetieth anniversary in 2002. The first installed in Brazil and the third in anniversary in 2002. The first installed in Brazil and the third in the world, it is a major icon of Rio tourism and has become a the world, it is a major icon of Rio tourism and has become a trademark of the city. From the inauguration to the above-trademark of the city. From the inauguration to the above-mentioned anniversary it transported 31 million tourists. mentioned anniversary it transported 31 million tourists. Considered to be one of the safest in the world by international Considered to be one of the safest in the world by international agencies of passenger cable cars, it has never had an accident agencies of passenger cable cars, it has never had an accident with casualtieshe currentwith casualtieshe current lines have safety devices with alarm at lines have safety devices with alarm at all points. Every morning, before receiving the first tourists, the all points. Every morning, before receiving the first tourists, the cable cars have a trial run. The route is entirely programmed by cable cars have a trial run. The route is entirely programmed by electronics that checks 47 safety items. The tourist complex electronics that checks 47 safety items. The tourist complex includes three stations, Praia Vermelha, Morro da Urca and Pão de includes three stations, Praia Vermelha, Morro da Urca and Pão de Açucar which are joined by four cable cars, two going between Açucar which are joined by four cable cars, two going between Praia Vermelha to Morro da Urca and two between Morro da Urca Praia Vermelha to Morro da Urca and two between Morro da Urca and Pão de Açucar. Urca Mountain (Morro da Urca) is 220 m high and Pão de Açucar. Urca Mountain (Morro da Urca) is 220 m high and Sugar Loaf (Pão de Açucar), 396 m highand Sugar Loaf (Pão de Açucar), 396 m high

Ipanema. Even more irresistible than the muse who Ipanema. Even more irresistible than the muse who inspired the "Girl from Ipanema," the song which inspired the "Girl from Ipanema," the song which immortalized both her and her neighborhood, there is no immortalized both her and her neighborhood, there is no doubt that Ipanema is a famous meeting point in Rio de doubt that Ipanema is a famous meeting point in Rio de Janeiro. This sophisticated neighborhood offers a lively Janeiro. This sophisticated neighborhood offers a lively night life scene with an enticing blend of beach, bars and night life scene with an enticing blend of beach, bars and boutiques.boutiques.

A major attraction throughout the day, its sands also A major attraction throughout the day, its sands also welcome countless after-dark visitors, including joggers and welcome countless after-dark visitors, including joggers and other athletes who cluster at its kiosks, pedal along the other athletes who cluster at its kiosks, pedal along the bicycle path and make good use of special lighting to bicycle path and make good use of special lighting to exercise and relax. Thanks to its multi-faceted lifestyle, exercise and relax. Thanks to its multi-faceted lifestyle, Ipanema truly reflects the Carioca spirit of the people of Ipanema truly reflects the Carioca spirit of the people of Rio, welcoming visitors eager to join in the fun.Rio, welcoming visitors eager to join in the fun.

Tijuca Forest. (Parque Nacional da Tijuca) Home to Tijuca Forest. (Parque Nacional da Tijuca) Home to hundreds of species of plants and wildlife, found only in the hundreds of species of plants and wildlife, found only in the Atlantic Forest, this is the world's largest urban forest Atlantic Forest, this is the world's largest urban forest replanted by man, covering 3.972 hectares. Its historical replanted by man, covering 3.972 hectares. Its historical attractions and enchanting nooks are well worth a leisurely attractions and enchanting nooks are well worth a leisurely visit. Just a short drive from the financialvisit. Just a short drive from the financial center center downtown, downtown, the North Zone and Rio's smart beach neighborhoods, its the North Zone and Rio's smart beach neighborhoods, its attractions include the Cascatinha Waterfall, the Mayrink attractions include the Cascatinha Waterfall, the Mayrink Chapel, the Excelsior Lookout Point, the Paul and Virginia Chapel, the Excelsior Lookout Point, the Paul and Virginia Grotto, Fairy LakeGrotto, Fairy Lake and, all favorite destinations for weekend and, all favorite destinations for weekend family outings.family outings.

The Tijuca Forest was reforested in the middle of the 19th The Tijuca Forest was reforested in the middle of the 19th Century after years of intense deforesting and planting Century after years of intense deforesting and planting (specially coffee plantations). The replanting was a pioneer (specially coffee plantations). The replanting was a pioneer initiative in all Latininitiative in all Latin America.America.

Carnival or Carnaval, from Latin Carnival or Carnaval, from Latin "Carnevale," meat festival or valley, "Carnevale," meat festival or valley, is an annual celebration in the Roman is an annual celebration in the Roman Catholic tradition that allows merry-Catholic tradition that allows merry-making and redmaking and red meat consumption meat consumption before the more sober 40 days of before the more sober 40 days of Lent penance which culminates with Lent penance which culminates with Holy or Passion Week and EasterHoly or Passion Week and Easter. .

The tradition of Carnival parades was The tradition of Carnival parades was probably influenced by the French or probably influenced by the French or German courts and the custom was German courts and the custom was brought by the Portuguese or brought by the Portuguese or Brazilian Imperial families who had Brazilian Imperial families who had Bourbon and Austrian descents.Bourbon and Austrian descents.

Up until the time of the marchinhas, the revelry Up until the time of the marchinhas, the revelry was more of a high class and Caucasian-led was more of a high class and Caucasian-led event. The influence of the African-Brazilian event. The influence of the African-Brazilian drums and music was more noticeable from the drums and music was more noticeable from the first half of the 20th century on. Rio de Janeiro first half of the 20th century on. Rio de Janeiro has many Carnival choices, including the has many Carnival choices, including the famous samba school (Escolas de Samba) famous samba school (Escolas de Samba) parades in the sambadrome exhibition centre parades in the sambadrome exhibition centre and the popular blocos de carnaval, street and the popular blocos de carnaval, street revelry, which parade in almost every corner of revelry, which parade in almost every corner of the city. the city.

Every December 31, 2.5 million people Every December 31, 2.5 million people gather at Copacabana Beach to celebrate gather at Copacabana Beach to celebrate New Year's in Rio de Janeiro. The crowd, New Year's in Rio de Janeiro. The crowd, mostly dressed in white, celebrates all night mostly dressed in white, celebrates all night at the hundreds of different shows and at the hundreds of different shows and events along the beach. It is the second events along the beach. It is the second largest celebration only next to the Carnival. largest celebration only next to the Carnival. They boast one of the largest fireworks They boast one of the largest fireworks displays in the world lasting about 22 displays in the world lasting about 22 minutes and illuminating the beauty of minutes and illuminating the beauty of Copacabana Beach in various colors…Copacabana Beach in various colors…

It was a small part of the It was a small part of the charm of Rio…charm of Rio…