Rio de Janeiro is located in Brazil. The capital of Brazil is the city of Brasilia. Reference. Southern region of Rio de Janeiro

The place given to Rio de Janeiro on the world map is, frankly speaking, a gift of fate. The subequatorial climate with uniform precipitation throughout the year and virtually unchanged air temperature creates the conditions of a paradise on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Now this is a favorite place for the most discerning tourists and anyone who wants to enjoy the combination of sun, water, light sand, lush greenery and small rocky mountains.

From the history

“January River” - this is translated from Portuguese Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro). It was in January (January 1, 1502) that the Portuguese navigator Gaspar de Lemos discovered, in his opinion, the mouth of the river. In reality it was Guanabara Bay.

However, the reclaimed place still retained its current name, which became known throughout the world as a holiday paradise. A little over 50 years after Lemos discovered this land (in 1555), the French occupied it, but not for long - the Portuguese defended their territory and 10 years later (March 1, 1565) founded the port city of San Sebastian de Rio de Janeiro . The name of the Portuguese king San Sebastian I was directly related to this name of the city.

The city developed from the Portuguese colonists who formed the population of Rio from the 16th century. Gradually, news of a paradise on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean reached Europe. This led to the fact that in the middle of the 20th century, three quarters of the population of the state of Rio de Janeiro were Europeans. This influx of European emigrants subsequently decreased - Europe made a leap in its development. And Brazilian northerners – blacks and mulattoes – flocked to Rio in search of a better life. The well-known current crime situation in densely populated Rio de Janeiro is due precisely to this spontaneous internal migration.

After the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro is the second largest populated area. In 2010, the state's population was estimated at 16 million people, of which 56% were of European origin; the residents of the city of Rio were over six million people.

In the state of the same name, Rio de Janeiro is the administrative center, which was the capital of Brazil for almost 200 years - until 1960, losing this status to the city of Brasilia. Now the city of Rio de Janeiro is the capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro, which was united in 1975 with the state of Guanabara.

Why Rio de Janeiro is attractive

Local residents of Rio de Janeiro like to call themselves “Cariocas” (those living in the state - “fluminense”), and their city is semi-officially called “Amazing City”. This nickname has not yet been refuted; rather, on the contrary, it is confirmed by every traveler or tourist who arrives from anywhere in the world at any of the three airports in Rio. At the entrance of Guanabara Bay rises "Sugarloaf" - mountain, which has become the hallmark of the city. Everyone who is in Rio for the first time wants to climb it, especially since it is not difficult to do - there is a funicular railway here.

The view of the ocean and the city that opens from the “Sugar Loaf”, glowing with different lights in the evening, is a sight unique in any part of the world.

On another mountain - Corcovado - another well-known attraction - gigantic in size Statue of Christ the Redeemer, which was erected on the basis of a competition to create a symbol of the nation.

If you get to the statue by car, you will inevitably plunge into a real jungle within the city. This is the Tijuca State Reserve.

A stream of people rushes towards the statue. Observation deck at its foot is the best point for exploring the most beautiful city in the world.

A special tram stops 40 meters before the statue, from where you have to climb 200 steps of stairs (or take a lift). There is an opinion that some positive changes are taking place in the lives of those who have visited the foot of the 38-meter statue.

When talking about Rio de Janeiro, one cannot fail to mention its beaches.

Firstly, because there are a lot of them here, and secondly, because they suit every taste: for swimming, for swimming, for surfing and sailing lovers, for contemplating the rocky coast, for getting to know the national flavor, for enjoying the sunset. The length of all sandy beaches reaches 90 kilometers. The names of Rio de Janeiro beaches all over the world are associated with associations about the best holiday by the water. Washed by warm ocean water, kilometers of sandy coastline, bathed in sunlight, strewn with many bars, cafes and sports grounds - the very cocktail that has the power to stop time. The most famous of the beaches is Copacabana.

Since the 19th century, famous Brazilian carnivals and New Year's celebrations on the ocean have been held here, attracting up to 100 thousand spectators.

Anyone present will enjoy the combination of music, water and lights in the dark, and sun rays, ocean waters with warm beach sand in the daytime.

People come to Rio not only for tourism purposes or the desire to plunge into the waters of the ocean. Here, 22 years ago (1992), representatives of many countries of the world, concerned about the state of our planet, discussed issues of environmental conservation and overall development at the UN conference.

International winter games could also be held here. After all, where Rio de Janeiro is located, the ambient temperature will not force athletes to get used to local conditions. It is noteworthy that slight fluctuations in air temperature in the city throughout the year cause slight surprise to residents of other latitudes only because in July it is somewhat cooler than in January.

Landscapes of the most beautiful bay in the world, kilometers long beaches, picturesque granite rocks with lush greenery, not only colonial architecture, but also the most modern buildings in design, exotic plants and animals on the city streets, beautiful girls, bright temperament of the residents, and, of course , His Majesty the ocean - all this is where Rio de Janeiro is located.

In addition to developed industry (there are even diamond processing factories), the city has a large seaport, three railway stations, and airports. The National Library stores two million books, including the rarest ancient manuscripts. Theaters and drama schools, conservatories and museums confirm the high cultural level of the townspeople. And, of course, sports. Another Brazilian religion, according to Brazilians, is football. Brazilians are busy with it not only at the world’s largest football stadium, the Maracanã for 200 thousand people, created in 1960 specifically for the World Cup, but also on every beach, where, along with volleyball and tennis, footvolley is especially popular - a mixture of football and beach volleyball.

The energy of the city attracts anyone who wants to appreciate the uniqueness of the great Rio. It is not in vain that they say that you can only get to know and appreciate the “showcase of the country”, the “city of wonders” on the ocean shore if you stay here forever.

Interactive map of Rio de Janeiro:

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Time-lapse footage of the beautiful city of Rio:

An interesting video about a trip to Rio de Janeiro from the series of programs “Heads and Tails”:

Rio is the city that will host the 2016 Summer Olympics. This will be the first time that an event of this format will be held in South America. B is a wonderful attraction.

5 most beautiful places in Rio de Janeiro

1. The statue of Christ the Redeemer is the main city symbol, located on Mount Corcovado. The scale and grandeur of the monument do not require comment, since its size is enormous. You can get to the foot by excursion bus, by car or on foot.
2. Mount Pan de Azúcar, or as the Brazilians also call “sugarloaf,” is located in the eastern part of Rio. From the top of the mountain there are magnificent views of the beach, the bay, the bridge and the world-famous monument.
3. Sambadromo is a famous carnival avenue. A street fenced on both sides with stands for spectators is almost a kilometer long. Every year, Brazilian samba carnivals take place along this street. Bright costume performances attract hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world.
4. The Green Garden of Rio is the oldest botanical garden in Brazil. You can take a break from a hot day and enjoy magnificent views of exotic flowers, shrubs and trees to the sounds of a waterfall or under centuries-old palm trees in this fabulous park.
5. Copacabana Beach is the main symbol of Brazilian souvenirs. The specially designed embankment design is a stone mosaic of black and white waves.

Getting to Rio de Janeiro

Galean International Airport, whose name is associated with the nearby beach, is the main airport serving the city. There are no direct flights from Russia to Rio. You have to make transfers to get there. With one transfer if you fly through London, Paris and Dubai, or with several connections in other cities. To save time, you can get to Sao Paulo, and from there take an internal flight to Rio de Janeiro. The total flight time excluding transfers is almost 16 hours.

Shopping in Rio de Janeiro

We recommend visiting the diverse Hippie Fair in Ipanema. By visiting it, you will be able to purchase unique handmade souvenirs, choose and try local cuisine. In this area, in addition to the fair, there are a great many shops that are also worth visiting.

Rio de Janeiro is famous for its precious stones, including diamonds, the quality of which has remained high for a long time. Those wishing to purchase jewelry should consider the offered assortment at “H. Stern.”

The largest shopping center in Rio, “Moll RioSul,” combines expensive boutiques of elite brands with departments of less popular companies. Rio de Janeiro has shopping centers and shops to suit every taste and budget. The opening hours of many of them are from 09:00 to 18:00, except weekends.

After the carnival, promotions and discounts begin in all stores and shopping centers. The rest of the time, boutiques themselves set a discount period that does not depend on the time of year or any other factors.

Hotels in Rio de Janeiro

There are a lot of hotels in Rio. During the Brazilian Samba Carnival, the city is crowded, so if you decide to visit this wonderful city at this time, we advise you to book a room in advance.

The Copacabana palace hotel is located near the tourist center and Monkey Island with 24-hour service. The hotel offers its guests all kinds of entertainment and everything necessary for a business visit.

The Protel Rio Flat Service Hotel has an excellent location in Rio's prestigious Leblon area. A landscaped area with a large number of cafes, bars, restaurants, and a large shopping center nearby.

The hotel chain at the Buzios resort offers its guests water sports, discos, bars and restaurants. In this area - a stunningly beautiful beach, crystal water, bay, and plants, all this makes this resort a real paradise. The tourist part of Rio de Janeiro is valued for its picturesque views of nature; small islands can be explored while walking on the water.

Rio de Janeiro Carnival

A separate chapter should be devoted to such a world-famous event as the Brazilian Samba Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. The official celebration begins on the last Friday before the start of Lent. The organization of the holiday is undertaken by the Ministry of Tourism and the League of Samba Schools. Each school assigns a costume theme for its participants and prepares the details of the procession. The parade starts at 21:00 and can last up to 10 hours. Samba schools perform in small groups, the order of the procession is determined by lot.

The winners are announced on Ash Wednesday and the winning school celebrates with a stunning fireworks display. First place winners receive a cash prize. Schools that take second and third place also receive small cash gifts.

What is Rio de Janeiro famous for? All about Rio: what is interesting about the Old and New Towns, beaches and legendary places of the most beautiful city in Brazil.

If you remember the song about the “fairy tale city”, “dream city”, and forget that it is dedicated to St. Petersburg, then these are the epithets that can be safely awarded to the pearl - the magnificent Rio de Janeiro. Located on the picturesque coast of the Atlantic Ocean in a tropical climate zone and occupying more than 1,200 km² of area, Rio is inhabited by almost seven million people, and if you take into account its suburbs, the total number of people exceeds 11 million!

The endless beaches of Rio de Janeiro with golden sand are legendary!

Considering the proximity of the “big water” and the geographical location, it is worth saying that in Rio de Janeiro it is quite humid and hot, in summer the temperature does not drop below 25 degrees Celsius, in winter - below 20, of course, with a plus sign.

History of Rio de Janeiro

The history of the city began in the mid-16th century, when the Portuguese founded a settlement here. Due to its proximity to the ocean, the port city of Rio de Janeiro began to develop rapidly, and it only took a couple of centuries for it to become the capital.

Even after the declaration of independence in the 20s of the 19th century, Rio did not lose its capital status, which was lost only in the 60s of the 20th century. Before the Portuguese, several local ethnic groups lived here, the Tupi ethnic group prevailing among them. It is believed that these lands have been inhabited by humans for the last 50 thousand years, which is periodically confirmed by Brazilian archaeologists. With the arrival of Europeans and the emergence of slave settlements to which Africans, Chinese and representatives of other nationalities were brought, a special ethnic group began to form in Rio de Janeiro, the descendants of which represent today the local population, predominantly black.

What's interesting about Rio de Janeiro

A magical panorama of Rio - the most beautiful city in South America!

Today Rio de Janeiro is one of the most popular resorts in the world. It is here that the world famous Capacabana beach is located, where you can easily see world-famous show business stars. Here in Rio stands the famous Sugar Loaf, rising almost 400 meters above the bay.

Another attraction of Rio de Janeiro, known without a doubt to everyone, is the legendary statue of Christ the Redeemer, looking at the city from the heights of Mount Corcovado. And, of course, the carnivals of Rio are one of the most colorful, noisy and relaxed in all of Brazil.

Old town of Rio de Janeiro

In addition to those sights of Rio de Janeiro that need no introduction and are known all over the world, the city has many more places that you simply must visit when you come here on vacation.

The famous Capacabana beach lies within the New City of Rio de Janeiro, as well as another equally pretty beach, Ipanema.

And it’s worth starting with the so-called Old Town, where the majority of buildings built during the formation of Rio de Janeiro are located. Here you can see the old customs house, stroll along the docks, look into the Arsenal, and also visit the buildings of the town hall and exchange. Of particular interest to travelers is Boticario Square with the ancient buildings located on it, as well as the monastic quarter and the monastery of St. Teresa itself, founded in the first half of the 17th century.

In Old Rio you can also see many picturesque palaces and stroll through the adjacent parks. The former residence of the emperor, called Quinta da Boa Vista, deserves special attention. Here you can not only enjoy the luxury of the apartments, but also take a walk in the shade of the tropical trees that grow in large numbers in the palace park.

In general, as for the nature of Rio de Janeiro, this is a separate story, and in order to experience all its beauty and see its richness, you need to devote several days to it and go on an overnight hike.

Fortunately, near the city there is one of the picturesque Brazilian parks - the Tijuca Forest, where you can find not only colorful parrots and butterflies, but also much more. On the territory of this large environmental site is the famous Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro, which houses a unique collection of plants and animals of the region.

New city of Rio de Janeiro

In the photo: Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden

But the park and the Botanical Garden are already located on the territory of the New Town. There are also many museums here, where you can clearly learn about the history of the city and the land on which it is located.

The famous Capacabana Beach also lies within the New City of Rio de Janeiro, as does another equally pretty beach, Ipanema. And also Flamengo Park, which amazes with its beauty. Of the new buildings located here, the famous Maracanã stadium, where the vast majority of Brazilian football stars began their careers, attracts attention.

And these are not all the beauties that will open to the eyes of a traveler who has decided to choose the amazing Brazilian metropolis with metropolitan manners as his holiday destination - Rio de Janeiro.

Two of Rio's most iconic landmarks: Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf

Rio de Janeiro city on the map of Brazil

The cheapest flights to Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro has been the real heart of Brazil for almost 4 centuries, as well as the generally recognized capital of beauty, fun and tourism throughout South America.

“God created the world in 6 days, and on the seventh he created Rio de Janeiro,” this is what Brazilians say about this fabulous city, which is surrounded by huge beaches and picturesque mountain slopes. In addition, local residents love their city so much that they nicknamed it the “City of Miracles” (“Cidade Maravilhosa”), and consider themselves the luckiest people, since they were born in the most beautiful city on the planet. However, no one argues with them, because the diverse and friendly Rio de Janeiro is one of the most attractive cities in the whole world and a real pearl of South America.

Climate and weather

In Rio de Janeiro, weather conditions form a tropical climate, characterized by hot summers and warm winters. The humidity in the city is always quite high; from mid-November to the end of March the city experiences hot, sunny weather (30-33 C°), and from April to September it is relatively cool (23 C°) and it rains quite often.

You can visit Rio de Janeiro throughout the year, as the weather here is always excellent.

Nature

Rio de Janeiro is located right on the Atlantic coast, near the Tropic of Capricorn. The city was founded right next to Guanabara Bay, which is crowned by the Corcovado and Pan de Azucar mountains, which have become his real “calling card”. In the south of Rio de Janeiro lie the beaches of Ipanema, Copacabana and Leblon, in the north there are hills and small rocky mountains, and in the west there are picturesque mountain ranges.

It is also worth mentioning that nature has truly been extremely generous to this southern city, rewarding it with the emerald green of tropical forests, the blue of rivers and lagoons, as well as the most beautiful snow-white beaches.

Attractions

Rio de Janeiro is home to many historical buildings and monuments, as well as a variety of museums and galleries, so you should set aside at least three days to explore all the local attractions.

It is recommended to start exploring the city with its most important “calling cards” - the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer, which rises on Mount Corcovado, and picturesque Pan de Azucar mountains. Also a very popular place is Sugarloaf Mountain, which can be climbed either on foot or by cable car.

If we talk directly about architectural monuments, then, first of all, you should go to Largo di Boticariu Square, all of the buildings of which were erected no earlier than the 18th century. The main decoration of this square is rightfully a beautiful fountain in the shape of a pyramid. The Tiradentes Palace is considered a very unusual building, which for a long time was a prison, and now has become the seat of the Legislative Assembly. In addition, the square boasts the City Hall, the Imperial Palace, the Bank do Brasil and the old customs building.

Many religious monuments have also been preserved in Rio. The main one was the Archbishop's Cathedral (1808), striking the imagination with its elegant stained glass windows, sparkling dome and exquisite decoration. Among other religious buildings, it is worth highlighting the Cathedral of St. Joseph, the Church of the Protectress of the Merchants of Lapa, the Monastery of São Bento and the Church of Candelaria.

In addition, a walk through the city museums, of which there are quite a lot in Rio de Janeiro, can be an interesting and educational event:

• Indian Museum,
• National Museum of Fine Arts,
• National History Museum,
• Museum of the Republic, etc.

Nutrition

Numerous restaurants in Rio de Janeiro are always ready to offer their guests both their national cuisine and the menu of any other country in the world. However, it is worth saying that Brazilian cuisine is considered one of the most exotic and piquant, and therefore is extremely popular. It is distinguished by the spiciness of Indian dishes, the sophistication of European culinary traditions and African spiciness.

In Rio's gastronomic establishments you can always try such interesting dishes as "takaka no tukupi"(astringent mixture of shrimp paste and sauce), "munguzu" corn kernels with coconut and fried green bananas. Their more exotic dishes include stewed turtle, roast crocodile and oxtails. Moreover, a large amount of olive oil, salt and pepper is added to absolutely all dishes.

However, the most popular and sought after Brazilian dish is "feijoada". It is an unusual mixture of beans, different types of meat, cassava flour and spices, served with cabbage. Moreover, a drink is always offered with this dish. "caipirinha" consisting of cane vodka, sugar and lemon.

But the most popular Brazilian drink is black coffee, the preparation of which has long been elevated to a cult here. It is worth saying that any average Brazilian drinks about 20 cups of this drink per day.

Rio de Janeiro is also often associated with the famous Brama beer, the most popular in Brazil. The most popular stronger drink in Rio is cachaça(sugar cane vodka) and local dessert wines.

Accommodation

In Rio de Janeiro, guests of the city have a huge number of hotels and inns for every taste and budget. Here you can find luxury five-star hotels, fairly inexpensive middle-class hotels or budget apartments.

In the Copacabana area, there are mainly mid-price hotels (from $50 to $95), for example, Tulip Inn Copacabana Hotel or Orla Copacabana Hotel.

In the Ipanema area there are more fashionable hotels, and prices there, naturally, are much higher: Ipanema Plaza - from $115, Sheraton Barra Hotel & Suites - from $150, Copacabana Palace Hotel - from $280.

Entertainment and relaxation

Rio de Janeiro hosts fun and noisy celebrations throughout the year, but the most important of them is rightfully considered the Carnival at the end of February, which is famous throughout the world for its colorful parades, fiery samba and “platform” competition.

Also, undoubtedly, Rio will appeal to lovers of beaches, of which there are an enormous number (about 90 km). Of these, the most famous are Copacabana, Leblon And Ipanema. On these beaches you can not only sunbathe or swim, but also go diving, rafting, surfing and beach volleyball, as well as hang gliding. In addition, lovers of sports and active recreation will appreciate the golf courses, tennis courts, stadiums and sports complexes.

Vacationers with children are advised to visit the city zoo with rare animals and exotic plants or go to one of the many amusement parks.

Well, fans of nightlife will be pleased with the abundance of all kinds of nightclubs, bars and other establishments that simply captivate with their festive atmosphere.

Purchases

Shopping is an integral part of tourism in Rio de Janeiro, as literally everyone can find great deals and unique souvenirs.

First of all, it is advisable to visit the grandiose city fairs Hippi and SAARA.

At the first of them you can buy original handmade souvenirs, musical instruments, traditional local dishes, etc., and at the second - luxurious carnival costumes and exotic goods.

After the fairs, the most interesting place is Rua Visconde de Piraja, where a wide variety of shops and street stalls are concentrated. It is also worth visiting the largest shopping centers RioSul, Barra Shopping, Rio Fashion Mall and Forum de Ipanema, which offer an incredibly large selection of branded boutiques, inexpensive clothing stores, cosmetics and perfume salons, as well as household appliances and interior stores. Separately, it is worth mentioning the Shopping Casino Atlantico shopping center, which is a combination of exquisite boutiques, jewelry stores and antique shops.

The most popular souvenirs in Rio are:

• fig-shaped stone figurines that attract good luck;
• uncut precious stones;
• bikini;
• coffee;
• disks with samba;
• exotic perfumes;
• paintings from wings.

Most shops in Rio de Janeiro are open from 9:00 to 18:30, on Saturdays until 13:00, and closed on Sundays.

Transport

In Rio de Janeiro, the main form of public transport is buses, the routes of which permeate the entire city. The cost of one trip is $0.7, paid by the conductor or driver. It is customary to enter buses through the rear doors and exit through the front doors; all stops are made at the request of passengers.

In the central part of the city it is convenient to travel by metro, which consists of only two lines. It is open every day, except Sunday, from 6:00 to 23:00.

In addition, a fairly popular form of transport in Rio de Janeiro is a taxi, which is inexpensive and quite convenient. There are two types of taxis: inexpensive yellow ones and blue-red ones (with air conditioning). The cost of the trip is $0.7 for landing and the first kilometer, and then $0.25 for each subsequent one.

Connection

There are two types of payphones everywhere in Rio de Janeiro: yellow ones are for domestic calls, and red ones are for international calls. All calls are paid using tokens and calling cards, which are sold in literally every store or kiosk.

Mobile communications in Brazil are quite convenient, reliable and profitable. It works in GSM 1800 and iDEN standards. International roaming is available to almost all foreign subscribers.

Internet access in Rio de Janeiro is available at internet cafes and some post offices. Wi-Fi is quite widespread.

Safety

Brazil is considered to be one of the countries with the highest crime rate. In Rio de Janeiro, this is due to the fact that almost a third of its population lives below the poverty line, and favelas (slums) are often located next to elite areas. Therefore, all tourists are strongly advised to exercise caution and be extremely attentive (do not carry large sums of money or valuables, do not wear expensive jewelry, stick to well-lit streets at night, etc.).

It is worth noting that the government is currently paying close attention to security issues in Rio, since the 2014 FIFA World Cup will be held here. More recently, CCTV cameras have been installed in many places, making things much safer.

Business climate

Rio de Janeiro, being the Brazilian capital until 1960, became the location of many large companies (Petrobras, Elektrobras, etc.).

However, after the capital was moved to the city of Brasilia, Rio did not stop attracting large companies (Royal Dutch Shell, Esso, EBX) and foreign investors. In addition, very close to the city, in Campo Basinii Not long ago, an oil field was discovered, which further strengthened the authority of Rio de Janeiro as a major economic and financial center of the country.

The key areas of the city's economy, in which it is quite easy to open a business, are construction, export trade, tourism and entertainment, as well as the service sector.

Real estate

The FIFA World Cup is scheduled for 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, and the Olympics for 2016. Events of such a high level always quite seriously change real estate prices, and also increase the number of purchase and sale transactions. Therefore, now the real estate market in Rio de Janeiro is rapidly increasing its turnover and offers a lot of profitable options. According to analysts, by 2014, housing prices here will increase by 25%, and for commercial real estate - by 15-20%.

At the moment, the average cost of housing in Rio is $500-1500 per m².

Not long ago, a decree came into force throughout Brazil, according to which it is allowed to buy antibiotics in pharmacies only with a doctor’s prescription. Considering that Brazil is an exotic country with a tropical climate, where various infectious diseases are possible, on a trip, just in case, it is advisable to take with you a minimum of basic medications, including antibiotics.