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Sep 29, 2023 · 17 Best Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. By Sarah Brown. |. Reviewed by Marisa Méndez. |. Last updated on Sep. 29, 2023. If it's your first time in Rio, you can't pass up people-watching...
Rio de Janeiro ( Portuguese: [ˈʁi.u d (ʒi) ʒɐˈne (j)ɾu] ⓘ [6] ), or simply Rio, [7] is the capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro. It is the second-most-populous city in Brazil (after São Paulo) and the sixth-most-populous city in the Americas.
Explore Rio de Janeiro, a UNESCO World Heritage site with stunning natural beauty and a beachy, informal vibe. Find out the best hotels, attractions, activities, and tips for your trip to this unique city.
- Overview
- Character of the city
Rio de Janeiro, city and port, capital of the estado (state) of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is located on the Atlantic Ocean, in the southeastern part of the tropical zone of South America, and is widely recognized as one of the world’s most beautiful and interesting urban centres. Although Rio de Janeiro continues to be the preeminent icon of Brazil in the eyes of many in the world, in reality its location, architecture, inhabitants, and lifestyle make it highly unique when compared with other Brazilian cities, especially the country’s capital of Brasília or the much larger city of São Paulo. The former is a much smaller city dating back only to the 1960s, while the latter is a huge, sprawling commercial and manufacturing centre with none of Rio’s spectacular natural beauty or captivating charm. Unlike Rio, both are located on flat interior plateaus.
The name was given to the city’s original site by Portuguese navigators who arrived on January 1, 1502, and mistook the entrance of the bay for the mouth of a river (rio is the Portuguese word for “river” and janeiro the word for “January”). When the foundations of the future town were laid in 1565, it was named Cidade de São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro (“City of St. Sebastian of Rio de Janeiro”) for both São Sebastião and Dom Sebastião, king of Portugal.
Rio de Janeiro is well known for the beauty of its beaches and of its peaks, ridges, and hills—all partly covered by tropical forests. The city is a centre of leisure for Brazilian and foreign tourists, and people wearing bathing suits can be seen walking in the streets and along the beaches or traveling on the city’s buses. Perhaps at no time is the city’s festive reputation better displayed than during the annual pre-Lenten Carnival, which enlivens the city night and day with music, singing, parties, balls, and street parades of brilliantly costumed dancers performing to samba rhythms. Rio is also an important economic centre, however, with activities ranging from industry and national and international trade to administration, banking, education, culture, and research.
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The city’s economic and social prominence grew in the 18th century after it became the main trade centre for the gold- and diamond-mining areas of nearby Minas Gerais. Later its status as a national capital and as the royal residence of the Portuguese monarch influenced Rio’s continued growth and helped it acquire a cosmopolitan atmosphere and a national character, free of regional conflict. After the city was relegated to being a state capital in the mid-20th century, however, a new regional consciousness began to develop. While São Paulo became entrenched as Brazil’s economic heartland and Brasília strengthened its position as the political hub, residents of Rio increasingly prided themselves on being the country’s cultural centre and Brazil’s most salient symbol to the rest of the world.
It is the longest river that is entirely within Ohio. The Scioto River is represented on the Ohio state seal and coat of arms . Geography and geology. In western Hardin County, within one mile (1.6 km) of its source. The lower Scioto River valley is large compared to the width of the river and is extensively farmed.
Discover the best of Rio, from beaches and carnival to culture and art. Find out what to do, where to stay, where to eat and more in this comprehensive guide.
Join the Rio Family. Social Work Student Council provides a stimulant to scholastic achievement, become actively involved in voluntary social work, be a voice for the wants and needs of social work majors and promote fellowship among social work students.
