RIO DE JANEIRO - A CIDADE MARAVILHOSA - THE MARVELOUS CITY
Rio de Janeiro ("River of January") is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, and regarded as the tourism capital of Brazil.
The city was the capital of Brazil for nearly two centuries, from 1763 to 1815 during the Portuguese colonial era, now commonly known as just Rio, the city is also nicknamed A Cidade Maravilhosa or "The Marvelous City" and considered a Beta World City.
Rio de Janeiro is located in the southeast region of Brazil, sheltered between the sea and the mountains, with six million inhabitants, in an area of 1,224.56sq.kms with 246.22kms of coastal line and 325.6sq.kms of urban forest. It is famous for its natural settings, its carnival celebrations, samba, Bossa Nova and hotel-lined tourist beaches, such as Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon.
Some of Rio’s most famous landmarks in addition to the beaches include the giant statue of Christ, known as Christ the Redeemer ('Cristo Redentor') atop Corcovado mountain, named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World; Sugarloaf mountain (Pão de Açúcar) with its cable car; the Sambódromo, a giant permanent parade avenue lined with grandstands which is used during Carnival; and Maracanã stadium, one of the world's largest football stadiums.
Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Summer Olympics, and will be the first South American city to host the event.
The city also boasts the largest and second largest urban forests in the world: Floresta da Tijuca, or "Tijuca Forest." and (almost connected to the first) the forest in Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca, or White Stone State Park.
Photos by Pedro Kirilos
For information contact: Alvaro Landini - EBX Group tel: + 55 21 2555 5500 fax: + 55 21 2555 5550 mob: + 55 21 8306 77 24 email: alvaro.landini@ebx.com.br
