Vist Rio de Janeiro

Travel Guide Rio de Janeiro
It can be said that Rio de Janeiro is a city of contrasts. Huge granite mountains emerge from golden beaches, impeccable colonial buildings coexist with modern skyscrapers of glass and forests scattered in great residential areas. It is a city full of life, who loves the beach, football, samba and carnival. And above all this fun and frivolity, is the most popular Rio-image of the statue of Christ the Redeemer.

The advantageous position of foreign currencies against the Brazilian real and the success of the national soccer team in the 2002 World Cup, have helped Brazil and Rio in particular is a very popular destination. Since the city will host the next Pan American Games in 2007, the city is being regenerated and are building more hotels. In addition to the known mountains Corvocado and Sugarloaf, the city offers a variety of attractions and activities, and fantastic cuisine, music and entertainment- enough to entertain the tourist for a good season.

Located south of Brazil, in the natural harbor of Guanabara Bay, Rio is a city of over 10 million, all concentrated between the ocean and mountains. The maravilhosa cidade is a mix of culture and people at various levels of wealth and poverty. In Rio, the rich and poor live side by side and exclusive areas are very close to the slums (favelas). However, regardless of their origin or purchasing power, Cariocas are known for their passion and enthusiasm for life, which is particularly evident in the Rio carnival.

An important element of the lifestyle of the Cariocas is the beach. From dawn to dusk, Rio residents enjoy its sandy beaches at all hours. Do not just go to the beach for sunbathing, but also for sports, toggle and even do business. Clothing is minimal and the cariocas show off their beautiful tanned bodies without complexes. The beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema are attracting more tourists and Brazilians.

Rio has taken 500 years to become one of the largest cities in the world. It was the January 1, 1502 when Portuguese explorers arrived in Guanabara Bay and named it Rio de Janeiro (River of January), because they believed that this was the mouth of a large river. The French tried to gain control over the bay in 1555 but were expelled by the Portuguese in 1567.

The Portuguese colony was based on sugar cane and agriculture during the seventeenth century, until the discovery of gold in the region of Minas Gerais, which turned the city into the center of export and it appraised. During this time, the black slaves constituted the majority of the population and now you can still appreciate the African influence in the culture of the city. The colonial capital of Brazil was moved from Bahia (now Salvador) in 1763 in Rio de Janeiro, and the city then began to flourish, especially when coffee became the main export of the nineteenth century. After the exile of the Portuguese monarchy, when Napoleon conquered Lisbon, Rio became the residence of kings and the capital of the independent Brazilian Empire. Finally, Brazil became a republic in 1889 and Rio remained the capital until 1960, when the federal government moved to Brasilia.

Rio has continued to grow and has become a very popular destination among tourists and immigrants from around the world. Despite its development, the city still has many social problems. There is a clear division between the haves and the poorer classes. We have made tremendous efforts to tackle crime in the city, however it is recommended to be cautious to prevent theft.

Rio's best season is undoubtedly the summer between December and February, culminating with Carnival. Temperatures can reach 40 ° C (104 ° F) or more, which is great for what Brazilians do, spend the day at the beach.