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| '''Rio de Janeiro''' is both the name of a state and a city in southeastern ]. The city is famous for the hotel-lined tourist beaches ] and ], |
'''Rio de Janeiro''' is both the name of a state and a city in southeastern ]. The city is famous for the hotel-lined tourist beaches ] and ], for the giant statue of ] on the ] mountain, and for it's yearly ] celebration. | ||
| Rio de Janeiro was |
Rio de Janeiro was Brazil's capital up to 1960, when the government was transferred to ], but remains the second biggest city in the country. The biggest is ]. | ||
| Actually it is the second bigger city in that country. The biggest is ]. | |||
| Rio is home to the Maracana stadium, once the world's highest capacity ] venue, able to hold nearly 200,000 people. In modern times, the capacity has been reduced because of unsafe areas, and the introduction of seating for all fans. Currently undergoing renovation, it will eventually hold 90,000. | |||
| Rio is famous for it's yearly ] celebration. | |||
| Copacabana boasts one of the world's most spectacular New Year's Eve parties, as more than two million revellers crowd onto the sands to watch the firework display. As of 2001, the fireworks have been launched from boats, since the previous launch site of the beach has caused several fatalities. | |||
| At the end of Copacabana lies the Sugarloaf Mountain ("Pao de Acucar"), whose name characterises the famous hump rising out of the sea. The top can be reached via cable car, and offers views second only to the statue of Christ the Redeemer. The tallest mountain in the city, however, at 842m, is the Pedra da Gavea (Rock of Gavea) in Sao Conrado. Hang gliding is a popular activity on a nearby peak - after a short flight, they land on the Praia do Pepino beach. | |||
| The majority of the city's 13 million inhabitants live in poor quality housing known as favelas, often crowded onto the hillsides where sturdy buildings are difficult to build, and accidents, mainly from heavy rainfall, are frequent. Favelas are usually ridden with drug related crime and gang warfare, which the police are unwilling and often unable to do anything about. Although financially impoverished, citizens of Rio acknowledge the rich natural beauty of their city. | |||
| The wealthy coastal area of the city known as Zona Sul (South Zone) is where most tourists will stay. The north zone is highly industrialized, has higher unemployment, and higher levels of crime. | |||
| Further out from the city center is Barra da Tijuca, a flat expanse of largely undeveloped coastal land, which is expanding outwards in a wave of new construction. High rise apartments and sprawling shopping malls give the area a far more Americanized feel than the crowded city center (Centro). Land is cheaper and crime is lower out here, and many businesses are moving to take advantage of this. | |||
| Tourists are advised to be cautious, as minor street crime is high, although nearly all is economically motivated - a mugger will want your wallet, not your life. | |||
Revision as of 12:45, 23 August 2002
Rio de Janeiro is both the name of a state and a city in southeastern Brazil. The city is famous for the hotel-lined tourist beaches Copacabana and Ipanema, for the giant statue of Christ on the Corcovado mountain, and for it's yearly Carnival celebration. Rio de Janeiro was Brazil's capital up to 1960, when the government was transferred to Brasilia, but remains the second biggest city in the country. The biggest is Sao Paulo.
Rio is home to the Maracana stadium, once the world's highest capacity football venue, able to hold nearly 200,000 people. In modern times, the capacity has been reduced because of unsafe areas, and the introduction of seating for all fans. Currently undergoing renovation, it will eventually hold 90,000.
Copacabana boasts one of the world's most spectacular New Year's Eve parties, as more than two million revellers crowd onto the sands to watch the firework display. As of 2001, the fireworks have been launched from boats, since the previous launch site of the beach has caused several fatalities.
At the end of Copacabana lies the Sugarloaf Mountain ("Pao de Acucar"), whose name characterises the famous hump rising out of the sea. The top can be reached via cable car, and offers views second only to the statue of Christ the Redeemer. The tallest mountain in the city, however, at 842m, is the Pedra da Gavea (Rock of Gavea) in Sao Conrado. Hang gliding is a popular activity on a nearby peak - after a short flight, they land on the Praia do Pepino beach.
The majority of the city's 13 million inhabitants live in poor quality housing known as favelas, often crowded onto the hillsides where sturdy buildings are difficult to build, and accidents, mainly from heavy rainfall, are frequent. Favelas are usually ridden with drug related crime and gang warfare, which the police are unwilling and often unable to do anything about. Although financially impoverished, citizens of Rio acknowledge the rich natural beauty of their city.
The wealthy coastal area of the city known as Zona Sul (South Zone) is where most tourists will stay. The north zone is highly industrialized, has higher unemployment, and higher levels of crime.
Further out from the city center is Barra da Tijuca, a flat expanse of largely undeveloped coastal land, which is expanding outwards in a wave of new construction. High rise apartments and sprawling shopping malls give the area a far more Americanized feel than the crowded city center (Centro). Land is cheaper and crime is lower out here, and many businesses are moving to take advantage of this.
Tourists are advised to be cautious, as minor street crime is high, although nearly all is economically motivated - a mugger will want your wallet, not your life.