Rio De Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro (English pronunciation: /riːoʊ deɪ ʒəˈnɛəroʊ/ or /ˈriːoʊ deɪ dʒəˈnɛəroʊ/; local Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈʁiu dʒi ʒaˈnejɾu],[1] River of January), commonly referred to simply as Rio,[2] 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, boasting approximately 6.3million people within the city proper,[3][4] making it the 6th largest in the Americas, and 26th in the world.[5]
The city was the capital of Brazil for nearly two centuries, from 1763 to 1815 during the Portuguese colonial era, 1815 to 1821 as the capital of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and Algarves, 1822 to 1960 as an independent nation. Rio is nicknamed the Cidade Maravilhosa or "MarvelousCity".
Rio de Janeiro represents the second largest GDP in the country[6] (and 30th largest in the world in 2008[7]), estimated at about 343 billion reais (IBGE/2008) (nearly US$201 billion), and is the headquarters of two major Brazilian companies – Petrobras and Vale, and major oil companies and telephony in Brazil, besides the largest conglomerate of media and communications companies inLatin America, the Globo Organizations. The home of many universities and institutes, it is the second largest center of research and development in Brazil, accounting for 17% of national scientific production – according to 2005 data.[8]
Rio de Janeiro is the most visited city in southern hemisphere and is known for its natural settings, carnival celebrations, samba, Bossa Nova, and balneariobeaches[9] such as Barra da Tijuca, Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon. Some of the most famous landmarks in addition to the beaches include the giant statue of 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 permanent grandstand-lined parade avenue which is used duringCarnival; and Maracanã Stadium, one of the world's largest football stadiums. The 2016 Summer Olympics will take place in Rio de Janeiro, which will mark the first time a South American city hosts the event.[10] Rio's Maracanã Stadium will also host the final match for 2014 FIFA World Cup.[11] Rio de Janeiro will also host World Youth Day in 2013.[12]
Contents[hide] * 1 Geography * 2Climate * 3 Cityscape * 4 History * 5 City districts * 5.1 Centro * 5.2 South Zone * 5.3 North Zone * 5.4 West Zone * 5.4.1 Southwest * 5.4.2 West Zone * 6 Demographics * 6.1 Population growth * 6.2 Religion * 7 Economy * 7.1 Infrastructure projects * 8 Education * 8.1 Educational institutions * 8.2 Educational system * 9Culture and contemporary life * 9.1 Tourism and recreation * 9.1.1 Awards * 9.2 Literature * 9.2.1 Libraries * 9.3 Music * 9.4 Theatre * 9.5 Sports * 9.6 Cultural events * 9.6.1 New year * 9.6.2 Carnival * 9.6.3 Other events * 10 Transportation * 10.1 Airports and Ports * 10.2 Public transport * 10.2.1Metro * 10.2.2 Bus * 10.2.3 Other * 10.3 Road transport * 10.3.1 Bicycle * 11 Human development * 11.1 Social issues * 11.2 Crime * 12 Notable cariocas * 13 International relations * 13.1 Twin towns – Sister cities * 14 See also * 15 References * 16 External links |
[edit] Geography

Rio de Janeiro and vicinities, satellite image, Landsat5, 2011-05-09

Cristo Redentor

A view of the statue, as seen from a helicopter
Rio de Janeiro is on a strip of Brazil's Atlantic coast, close to the Tropic of Capricorn, where the shoreline is oriented east–west. Facing largely south, the city was founded on an inlet of this stretch of the coast, Guanabara Bay (Baía de Guanabara), and its entrance is marked by a point of land called Sugar...