Overview
Rio de Janeiro is the second-largest city in Brazil, with a metropolitan population of around 12 million people. Located on Brazil's southeastern Atlantic coast, the city served as the country's capital from 1763 until 1960, when the seat of government was moved to the newly built Brasilia.
Geography and Physical Features
Rio sits in a dramatic landscape of forested mountains, granite peaks, and curving sandy beaches along Guanabara Bay. Iconic peaks such as Sugarloaf Mountain and Corcovado rise directly from the city. The Tijuca Forest, a hand-replanted urban rainforest, is one of the largest such forests in the world inside a city.
Significance
Rio is the cultural heart of Brazil and a major center for samba, bossa nova, and Carnival celebrations. The city's annual Carnival is one of the largest festivals in the world, drawing millions of participants and spectators. UNESCO designated the city's "Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea" as a World Heritage Site in 2012.
Notable Facts
The statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado, completed in 1931, stands 30 meters tall and is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Rio hosted the 2014 FIFA World Cup final and the 2016 Summer Olympics, the first Olympic Games held in South America. Copacabana and Ipanema are among the most famous urban beaches in the world.