Welcome to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
On New Year’s Day in 1502 the site of this great city of the future was discovered by mariners from Portugal. The “ Rio “ is actually the huge Guanabara Bay. Some 60 years later it was officially named Sao Sabastiao do Rio de Janeiro by the government of Portugal. After the expulsion of the French settlers who had moved into the region, planned cultivation of the region was undertaken. By the 1700, Rio de Janeiro had become an important port through which the gold and diamonds from the rich mines of Minas Gerais were shipped to Portugal. By 1763 the city had achieved such prominence that it was designated the capital of the region. During the Napoleonic Wars and the occupation of Portugal, the Portuguese court was moved to the city (1808 – 1821). Following independence, the city was made the capital of the territory of Brazil.
During the 1800s Rio de Janeiro grew rapidly with the territorial expansion of the city, land reclamation, and large-scale urban construction. During this period, large numbers of European immigrants were attracted to the city and by the turn of the century the population was over a half million. Today the population stands at 6 million, exceeded in the country only by Sao Paulo with 10 million.
In 1960, the government made the decision to open up the largely uninhabited interior of the country and to this end, considerable opposition to the project notwithstanding, the city of Brasilia was created and designated the capital of the country. Many think today that if the “ head “ of Brazil is in Brasilia, the “ heart and soul “ of the nation is still in Rio.
Probably no city in the world equals -- and certainly none surpasses -- Rio de Janeiro in the beauty of its natural setting with its spectacular bay and beaches and backdrop of verdant tropical mountains lending a special mystique to the city.
Rio de Janeiro has a unique energy and vivacity of its own. This is best seen during the renowned Carneval time when the city reverberates to the sound of Samba bands and thousands of gorgeously costumed dancers and colorful floats wind their way through the city that is alive with celebrants from around the world. Rio de Janeiro for decades has been a mecca for tourists – remember Fred Astaire and Flying Down to Rio – who come to enjoy the relaxed life-style, the superb beaches such as Ipenema and Copacabana, and the spectacular beauty of its bay and mountains.
Rio de Janeiro is an important banking center and producer of electronic equipment, cement and other construction materials, food, and chemicals. Its port handles the exports of the country such as soybean products, coffee, chemicals, steel, and automobiles as well as imports from other countries.
Tourists throng to Rio de Janeiro not only for its sun-soaked beaches and magnificent vistas, but also for its pulsating nightlife. At night the city throbs to the beat of the Samba and glittering nightclubs, restaurants, and bars that dot the city beacon to the visitor to come and enjoy. It could be said that the Spirit of Carneval lives throughout the year in Rio de Janeiro.
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 Corcovado : The statue of Christ the Redeemer or Jesus |
acions, bradway, fift ave,ater,
