Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro - the 'River of January' - is Brazil's second most populous city. The city was founded by the Portuguese in 1565 and was originally the seat of the Captaincy of Rio de Janeiro, part of the Portuguese Empire. Rio was the capital of the Republic of Brazil until 1960, when the capital was moved to Brasília. One of the most visited cities in the southern hemisphere, Rio de Janeiro is famous for its natural environment, carnival, samba, bossa nova and balneario beaches, the most famous being Copacabana. Apart from the beaches, the most famous attractions include the colossal statue of Christ the Redeemer at the top of Corcovado Mountain, hailed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The core of Rio is located on the plains of the western coast of Guanabara Bay. Most of the city lies to the north-west on plains of marine and continental sediments, as well as hills and some rocky mountains. The southern zone of the city, which extends as far as the beaches bordering the open sea, is separated from the center and the northern zone by coastal hills. These mountains and hills are a side branch of the northwestern Serra do Mar, an ancient gneiss-granite mountain range that forms the southern slopes of the Brazilian Highlands. Frequently visited scenic spots include the Quinta da Boa Vista, a park that houses the Zoological Garden and the National Museum. The Botanical Garden, which dates back to 1808 and displays a huge variety of species, and the Tijuca National Park, located in the Tijuca Forest.