Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Open left menu Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro is located in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, also known as Rio- one of the largest cities in Brazil, as well as a major port, the administrative center of the state of the same name and the former capital of the country (1764-1960). Population – about 6 million 400 thousand inhabitants (2012).

The city is located on the Atlantic coast over an area of ​​1260 square meters. km, near Guanabara Bay, the entrance to which is preceded by the “calling card” of Brazil - a mountain called Sugar Loaf.

One of the peculiarities of Rio is that the city is partially located on small rocky mountains and hills, giving it a special picturesque and unique feel.

It is currently the second most populous Brazilian city, as well as the country's 2nd largest industrial and financial center, after Sao Paulo.

Rio de Janeiro is known to tourists around the world primarily for its breathtaking landscapes - the golden beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema are adjacent to the Sugar Loaf, the statue of Christ the Redeemer and the giant bowl of the Maracanã stadium, which, by the way, is often called by locals the temple of the second Brazilian religion - football.

Perhaps one of the main cultural attractions of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil in general is the world famous Brazilian Carnival. The city is home to several dozen samba schools, numerous representatives of which annually during Carnival days stage colorful performances at the local sambodrome, as well as processions through the streets of Rio.

But, like any large city, Rio de Janeiro also has its dark sides. First of all, this is a high level of crime, including that directed against foreign tourists.

And it’s not surprising, because in this Brazilian “city of contrasts” respectable urban areas coexist with huge slums (favelas), huddled mainly on the mountain slopes, where almost 20% of Rio’s population lives, and often there is no even basic amenities, but also flourishing drug trafficking and crime.

And although over the past 5 years the standard of living in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro has increased noticeably, it is still better not to meddle in them on your own, so as not to accidentally spoil your holiday in Brazil, because the crime situation in this hotbed of crime leaves much to be desired.

But if the desire to see life in the favelas is still great, then it is better to book an organized tour from one of the local travel agencies. As a rule, they already have agreements with criminal clans, so such excursions are safe and go without problems.

Districts of Rio de Janeiro

Officially, Rio de Janeiro is divided into 160 municipalities and 34 administrative districts. Traditionally, the city is divided into four main districts:

Centro or Historical Center- the financial and business center of the city, with many historical buildings such as the Municipal Theatre, the National Library, the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Tiradentes Palace, the Cathedral and the Pedro Ernesto Palace. The bohemian neighborhoods of Lapa and Santa Teresa also belong to this area. The famous Sambodrome is also located here.

Zona Sul or South zone– includes the main tourist areas such as Copacabana, Leblon, Ipanema and Flamengo. It is home to some of Rio's upscale neighborhoods and many of the main tourist sites, such as Laguna Rodrigo de Freitas, Sugar Loaf and Mount Corcovado with its Christ statue.

Zona Norte or Northern zone– this area is rarely visited by tourists; almost all the city’s stadiums are concentrated here, led by the famous Maracana.

Zona Oeste (West Zone) or Western zone– the farthest district from the city center, here are both the richest and poorest neighborhoods of Rio. Also located here is the Barra da Tijuca area, with an 18-kilometer beach, the longest in the city.

Story

Guanabara Bay was discovered by the Portuguese navigator Gaspar de Lemos on January 1, 1502. The Portuguese mistook the bay for the mouth of the river - hence the name of the city, translated from Portuguese Rio de Janeiro means “January river”.

The city of Rio de Janeiro was founded by the Portuguese on March 1, 1565, as a fortification to fight hostile Indian tribes and French pirates operating in local waters, and was originally called San Sebastian de Rio de Janeiro, in honor of the Portuguese king Sebastian I.

In 1763, colonial administration was transferred from Salvador to Rio de Janeiro, and it became the capital of Brazil for almost two centuries.

In 1960, the capital of Brazil was moved to the center of the country, to the city of Brasilia. Rio received the status of a city-state (Guanabara State). In 1975, the state of Guanabara was merged with the state of Rio de Janeiro, and the city became the capital of the united state.

In 2014, Rio de Janeiro will host the FIFA World Cup, and in 2016, the Summer Olympic Games.

Rio de Janeiro has a tropical, humid climate, from November to April it is hot, the maximum temperature during this period can reach 28-35 °C, and from May to September it is relatively cool.

The difference in average temperatures between the coldest and warmest months in Rio is no more than 3-5 degrees.

Average monthly water temperature: January-February +25 °C, March-April +22 °C, May-October +20 °C, November-December +23 °C.

Transport in Rio de Janeiro

Taxi

The yellow ones are a little cheaper (their drivers rarely speak English) and they are everywhere in the city, so stopping them won't be difficult (so there's not much point in ordering a taxi to the hotel). After you get into the car, do not forget to make sure that the meter is on.

There is a day rate and a night rate (from 21:00 to 06:00, 10% more expensive). The cost of a minimum trip on a yellow taxi is 4.40 BRL (March 2011), the cost for 1 km is 1.60 BRL. On average, a trip from Ipanema to Copacabana will cost 5 BRL, from Copacabana to the historical center - 20 BRL, to the airport - 50 BRL. It is customary to tip the driver - approximately 10% of the amount on the meter.

Radio taxis - their advantage is that all cars are air-conditioned and the passenger pays a flat rate, regardless of the time of day or idle time in traffic jams. You can order a car by phone or through the website. Unfortunately, not all radio taxis yet have full-fledged websites where you can see the cost of a trip online.

Radio taxi websites – Rio Airport Transfer (rioairporttransfer.com), Cootramo (cootramo.com.br), Radio Taxi Coopertramo (radio-taxi.com.br)

Buses

Payment for the fare is made at the entrance to the driver or conductor; the trip will cost from 2.75 BRL (air-conditioned buses charge higher fares).

At almost all stops in the tourist South Zone of the city there are numbers and descriptions of routes.

During rush hour, buses are always crowded and there is a risk of being robbed (it is better not to take valuables and money with you on such trips).

Metro

In addition, some places in Rio de Janeiro can also be reached by metro– it is small and has only 48 km of tracks and 35 stations. To date, only two lines are open (out of the planned four) - the First Line and the Second Line.

The second metro line is of greatest interest among tourists, as it connects the tourist South Zone (Ipanema, Copacabana) with the historical center of the city.

The trains have a Portuguese-English public address system, all of them are equipped with air conditioning and light displays indicating the direction of the train and the next station.

At stations there are posters in English and Portuguese describing nearby attractions.

Metro operating hours: on weekdays from 05:00 to 24:00, on weekends - from 07:00 to 23:00

By 2016, it is planned to put into operation the fourth line, which will connect the South Zone with the West (Barra da Tijuca and Recreio areas).

The third metro line (its construction is still in the planning stages) will connect Rio de Janeiro and the neighboring cities of Niteroi, Sao Gonçalo and Itaborai (part of the line will pass under Guanabara Bay).

Car rental

The largest car rental companies are Localiza, Hertz, Avis.

Daily rental cost is from 100 BRL. Cars come with or without air conditioning, from economy class to business class. There is an additional option for installing GPS.

A Russian driver's license can be used to drive a car in Brazil for 6 months (after this period, foreigners must obtain a Brazilian license).

When driving a car, you must have your passport with you.

In addition, a credit card is required when signing a rental contract. Be prepared for the fact that if you break traffic rules, the cost of the fine will be written off (this can happen even within 3-4 months after you return the car). Last changes: 03/19/2017

Beaches of Rio de Janeiro

Beaches for residents of Rio de Janeiro are more than just a strip of sand for sunbathing and swimming. People come here to chat with friends, meet new people, play sports (beach sports, open-air gyms and surfing), and also just sit and admire the ocean and the beach party.

Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro

Most of the most popular hotels with tourists in Rio de Janeiro are located in the tourist South Zone, along the beaches of Ipanema (here prices are usually 30% higher) and Copacabana (here are the main decent hotels in the mid-price category), but there are many small, cheap and clean hotels throughout the Flamengo and Catete area.

Accommodation in Rio is probably the most expensive in Brazil. There is a relative shortage of inexpensive hotel rooms, so it is recommended to make hotel reservations in advance.

In addition, prices skyrocket (sometimes more than tripling) during the New Year and Carnival. During this time, most hotels in tourist areas only sell 4-day packages, and even if you only want to stay a couple of days, you will have to pay for the package in full. During this period it is also recommended to make reservations in advance.

Besides New Year and Carnival, the busiest month is January - the summer holidays in Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro or simply Rio (port. Rio de Janeiro) - the second largest (after Sao Paulo) city in Brazil, the third most populous agglomeration in South America (with a population of 6.3 million people), the sixth largest city in the Three Americas (SA, CA, SA) and the 26th in world.

Guanabara Bay was discovered by the Portuguese navigator Gaspar de Lemos on January 1, 1502. The Portuguese mistook the bay for the mouth of the river, hence the name of the city, which means January River in Portuguese. Rio de Janeiro itself was founded half a century later, on March 1, 1565, by Estacio de Sá together with José de Anchieta and was originally called San Sebastian de Rio de Janeiro (port. São Sebastião de Rio de Janeiro), in honor of the Portuguese king Sebastian I.

In the past (until 1960), Rio was the capital of Brazil (two centuries), and once the capital of the United Kingdom of Brazil, Portugal and the Algarve (during the period of emigration of the Portuguese court). Now Rio de Janeiro is a city of contrasts, where wealth coexists side by side with poverty, and elite areas with favelas. Like all megacities, Rio has similar problems - congested traffic, high prices and high crime rates.

From a tourist point of view, Rio de Janeiro is divided into the Old Town, the New Town and the outskirts. The Old Town contains the customs house, docks, arsenal, stock exchange, National Academy of Arts, city hall and cultural institutions, including all theaters and almost all museums. The new city is famous for the mint, the prison, the main station and the Invalides, the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, Flamengo Park, the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer on Mount Corcovado, Sugar Loaf Mountain, and the Maracanã Stadium.

The city's famous and most visited architectural monuments are the colonial churches, the monasteries of San Bento, San Antonio and the Capuchin Order, as well as the former imperial residence of Quinta da Boa Vista. According to preliminary estimates, the National Library contains two million rare books and manuscripts. The National Museum of Fine Arts has an excellent collection of more than 800 paintings by various artists, and the National History Museum houses more than 278 thousand exhibits.

Despite the fact that the streets and embankments of Rio de Janeiro are literally buried in tropical vegetation, the botanical garden, which was founded in 1808 and is one of the best in the world, contains more than 7,000 species of plants from around the world. There is also the famous alley of palm trees and a collection of exotic animals and birds.

Rio's most famous mountain, Corcovado, is located within the Tijuca National Park (which is an interesting place to visit in itself) and means "hunchback" in Portuguese. The peak of the mountain is located to the west of the city center and is clearly visible from many areas of the city and is famous primarily for the 38-meter statue of Christ the Redeemer located at the top of the mountain. From the top of the mountain there is a beautiful panorama of various areas of Rio de Janeiro - Sugarloaf Mountain, Lake Rodrigo de Freitas, Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon beaches, Maracanã Stadium.

A 3.8 km long railway, which was built by Swiss specialists in 1884, leads to the top of the mountain. The train, consisting of two cars, departs from the terminal station every 20 minutes and lasts the same time. From the upper railway station there are 223 steps leading to the foot of the statue of Christ, but it is possible to go up by elevators or escalator.

The statue of Jesus Christ on top of Corcovado, considered one of the seven modern wonders of the world, is visited by more than 600 thousand tourists every year.

The second sign mountain is Sugar Loaf (port. Pão de Acucar), overlooking Guanabara Bay in eastern Rio. Because of its unusual shape, which resembles a lump of sugar, it received the name “Sugar Loaf”. The origin of the mountain's shape is associated with the weathering of igneous rocks that ended up on the earth's surface. There is practically no vegetation on the slopes.

You can get to the top of Sugarloaf thanks to the cable car, which was designed by Augusto Ferreira Ramos in 1908, and was officially opened 4 years later. At that time, it was the first cable car in Brazil and the third in the whole world. And now this cable car is considered one of the most extreme and scary in the world, and a ride on it is quite an interesting attraction. The ascent along it includes three stops along the way: Praia Vermelha, Mount Urca and the final destination - the top of Sugar Loaf.

In third place is Mount Pedra da Gavea. It is not very famous and is rarely visited by foreign tourists, but it is a very interesting place. This mountain, 842 meters above sea level, is located near the Barra da Tijuca area and is one of the popular places to visit for those who love outdoor activities and mountain climbing. True, due to its great difficulty, climbing it is very dangerous and for those without experience in mountain climbing, it is advisable to refrain from going to it. At the top there is a mysterious inscription in presumably one of the Semitic languages.

For football fans, I would recommend attending one of the Brazilian Championship matches held at the famous Maracanã stadium. This is one of the largest stadiums in the world, which was built specifically for the fourth World Cup. Home of the Flamengo and Fluminense clubs, as well as the Brazilian national team of all ages. Football is the meaning of life for many Brazilians, so even during regional finals the stadium attracts at least 90,000 spectators.

Another of Rio de Janeiro's "attractions" is the rich history of jiu-jitsu and valetudo. The city is home to many of Brazil's biggest MMA teams, and there's always a good chance of spotting BJJ and MMA celebrities like Anderson Silva drinking juice at the local bar. You can also train at one of the world's best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academies.

The famous beaches of Rio de Janeiro are more than just a strip of sand for sunbathing and swimming. People come here to chat with friends, make new acquaintances, play sports (beach sports, open-air gyms and surfing), and also just sit and admire the ocean and the beach party. Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon are the three most popular beaches in Rio.

All the oceanic beaches of Rio have quite strong surf, and on Ipanema there are also dangerous currents from the shore (they can easily be carried into the ocean), so no one swims far from the shore here. There are professional lifeguard teams on the beaches, and there is also a rescue helicopter that pulls people out of the water into nets. Here is a map of the beaches of Rio de Janeiro:

Along the beaches there are beautiful and rich neighborhoods of Rio, with sports grounds, restaurants and expensive hotels. One of these areas, favored by surfers from all over the world, is Barra da Tijuca (port. Barra da Tijuca). The longest beach in Rio is located here (18 km), and it is also the best for surfing. This beach is one of those rare places where surfers have conditions for surfing almost all year round (decent waves and wind are always present here), which, however, does not at all interfere with sunbathing and swimming in comfort, the main thing is not to swim far from the shore. There is only one downside to the beach - not far from it, on the slopes of the surrounding mountains, there is a large favela, so you need to carefully monitor things and not stay here until dark. True, one of the latest trends in tourism fashion is tours to favelas organized by local tourism campaigns.

And of course, Rio is a carnival held annually. And despite the fact that there are many carnivals in South America, including in Brazil itself, the carnival in Rio de Janeiro remains the most popular, the most numerous, and, accordingly, the most expensive. Tourists planning to visit it need to worry much in advance about renting accommodation, buying air tickets and reserving seats at the sambodrome, since during the carnival, due to the influx of tourists, there is an acute shortage of hotel rooms and an increase in housing prices.

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 (in 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:

Video

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 de Janeiro is the first city that comes to mind when you think of Brazil. In a city of contrasts, wealthy residents of elite areas coexist with poor people from slums. Noisy, diverse and crowded, Rio is second only to Sao Paulo, but in terms of entertainment it is an unsurpassed leader. They say that you can get to know it and see all the interesting places only by staying there forever. Grandiose and less noisy festivals are held here all year round, the absolute leader of which is Carnival. In 2016, the glory of Rio de Janeiro around the world will increase many times thanks to the Olympics.

Geographical features

Rio stretches along the Atlantic coast of Brazil. It has the following geographical coordinates:

• 22054’ S;
• 43011’ W.

Founded at the entrance to Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro gradually expanded its borders. It is oriented in a southerly direction. The terrain is heterogeneous. The north is dominated by plains and gentle hills. The central part has more mountains and cliffs that frame the sandy beaches of the south.

The proximity to the equator smoothes out seasonal temperature fluctuations. The air in the city warms up to +22…+28°C. The driest and coolest months are June to October, but rain occurs regularly throughout the year. The average annual precipitation is 1170 mm. For tourists, Rio is more interesting in December-March, when the air and water temperatures become most comfortable.

Population

Rio de Janeiro has a high population density. More than 6.5 million inhabitants live on an area of ​​1.26 thousand km², which is not surprising, because even before 1960 the city was the capital of Brazil. And today many flock here in search of a better life. On the downside, crime has increased, especially in poor slums, where tourists are asked to visit with caution.

The city is a mixture of different peoples and races, so discrimination on these grounds will not be found here. For the most part, residents are very smiling and hospitable, always ready to help. The main religion is Catholicism, which is often mixed with local traditions as well as African beliefs.

Kitchen

The cuisine in Rio de Janeiro is a combination of the culinary traditions of the Arabs, European settlers and local Indian residents. To experience the local flavor, you should order feijoada. This hearty dish is prepared from smoked meats, dried meat, beans and generously seasoned with spices. Each cook adds something of his own to the recipe, so feijoada will differ from place to place.

The highlight of Rio is Rodizio. These are meat restaurants where you charge an entrance fee, after which you can enjoy salads and main courses for free. Some establishments allow you to take breaks between meals and even walks in the fresh air. Drinks and desserts are billed separately.

A popular local drink is the caipirinha. It can be ordered both in an expensive restaurant and in a street eatery. For preparation, use cane vodka (cachaça), lemon, lime, ice and cane sugar. The cocktail turns out to be very pleasant and refreshing, but quickly gets you drunk.

And, of course, you cannot visit the birthplace of coffee and not enjoy the numerous varieties of this invigorating drink.

Attractions

It’s hard to imagine as many attractions as there are in Rio de Janeiro. Therefore, the excursion program should be thought out in advance. We will list only a small but most interesting part of the attractions. For convenience, they are grouped by topic.

Natural parks

Even the streets of the city are distinguished by lush vegetation, not to mention the parks and reserves that are scattered throughout Rio. To get acquainted with the unusual flora of Brazil in a small area, you should go to the Botanical Garden. It is divided into thematic sectors, through which there are convenient paths. Visitors alternate between fields of orchids, cacti or water lilies. Ubiquitous monkeys scurry through the dense vegetation and flocks of brightly colored birds flutter.

Many tourists are attracted by the beauty and historical significance of the palace and park complex of Quinta da Boa Vista. At the beginning of the 19th century, the property belonged to the imperial family, which abandoned it after Brazil gained independence. On the territory there is a park, a zoo and a palace, within the walls of which the National Museum is located.

At the Rio de Janeiro Zoo, there are more than 350 species of representatives of the local fauna, as well as those arriving from other countries, on the territory of the complex. The zoo area is small, but very green and well-groomed.
You can enjoy a walk and explore the features of landscape design in the parks:

• Tijuca;
• Lage;
• Flamengo.

These green islands are equipped with jogging and cycling paths, as well as other necessary recreational infrastructure. And to admire and capture the most beautiful panoramas of the city, you should climb to the observation deck at the statue of Christ on Mount Corcovado or to the famous Sugar Loaf.

Religious monuments

The most famous landmark not only of Rio, but also of Brazil can be called the statue of Christ the Redeemer, which guards the city from the top of Mount Corcovado. The height of the structure is 38 m, and the arm span reaches 30 m.

You can get acquainted with temple architecture and better understand the meaning of religion for local residents by visiting the following attractions:

• Church of Candelaria in honor of Our Lady;
• Monastery of Sao Bento;
• Cathedral of San Sebastian.

Architectural landmarks

The colonial era architecture in Rio de Janeiro is no less interesting. The pearl of Piazza Floriano is the Municipal Theater, replicating the architecture of the Paris Opera. In addition to its beautiful façade, the theater amazes with its rich interior decoration. It still hosts performances to this day.

The largest collection of literature in all of South America is located in the National Library. Much of it is included in the UNESCO heritage list. The majestic building was built at the beginning of the 19th century.

The city has several picturesque palaces that attract tourists:

1. Tiradentes. State meeting place. The palace is distinguished by its monumentality, high columns and a huge glass dome.
2. The Imperial Palace is an ancient snow-white building with a rich history. It was here that the law abolishing slavery was signed.
3. The castle on the island of Ilha Fiscal resembles a fairytale pearl. Its walls are painted in emerald tones and are richly decorated. In the 19th century the customs office was located here, and today there is a naval museum.

Beaches of Rio de Janeiro

A visit to Rio is impossible without relaxing on the beach. This kind of relaxation involves more than just lying on the sand or swimming in the noisy ocean waters. By the way, they can be very insidious, which is why lifeguards are constantly on duty on the shore. The beach is a meeting place and a center of youth entertainment. Hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and open-air discos are located nearby. Carnival processions and mass New Year celebrations take place here. The most popular beaches are:

• Copacabana;
• Ipanema;
• Leblond;
• Flamengo;
• Barra di Tijuca.

How to get there?

Rio has an international airport that receives flights from various countries. Considering the flight distance, a direct flight from Russia cannot be found. Most companies offer connections in Paris or Amsterdam. Citizens of the Russian Federation can stay in Brazil without a visa for 90 days.

In what state is the city of Rio de Janeiro located?

A characteristic of a state or subject of a country is the integrity and interconnection of its constituent elements, including cities and other populated areas that are part of the state.

The state of Rio de Janeiro is an administrative unit of the state of Brazil.

Population of the city of Rio de Janeiro.

What time zone is Rio de Janeiro located in?

Rio de Janeiro telephone code

Official website of the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Flag of the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Coat of arms of the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Metro in the city of Rio de Janeiro.

The passenger flow of the Rio de Janeiro metro (congestion of the Rio de Janeiro metro) is 401.50 million people per year.

The number of metro lines in the city of Rio de Janeiro is 2 lines. The total number of metro stations in Rio de Janeiro is 35. The length of metro lines or the length of metro tracks is: 41.00 km.