© Copyright 2008-2009.
All rights reserved
Rio de Janeiro is the second largest city of Brazil, behind So Paulo. The city is capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro. It was the capital of Brazil for almost two centuries. Rio also boasts the two world's largest forests inside an urban area. Despite its charm and beauty, Rio is reputed to be one of the most violent cities in the world.
It is famous for its natural settings, its Carnival celebrations, samba and other music, and hotel-lined tourist beaches, such as Copacabana and Ipanema, paved with decorated black and cream swirl pattern mosaics known locally as "pedra portuguesa". Some of the most famous local landmarks in addition to the beaches include the giant statue of Jesus, known as Christ the Redeemer ('Cristo Redentor') atop Corcovado mountain, which has recently been named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
In Rio de Janeiro, buses are the main means of mass transportation. There are nearly 440 municipal bus lines serving over four million passengers each day, in addition to intercity lines. The city is served by a number of expressways though traffic jams are very common. In Brazil, most interstate transportation is done by road. A large terminal for long-distance buses is in the Santo Cristo neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro. There are also two port facilities for cargo and passenger ships.


Apart from Carnaval, New Year is also a major event in Rio. It's celebrated with concerts and firework displays all around Rio, the largest one being in Copacabana beach. There are several significant museums in Rio as well. Among them are the Quinta da Boa Vista, the Native Art Museum, and the Indian Museum. Rio also has one of the world's most talked-about nightlife. Rio has a lot of nightclubs where the rich enjoy themselves and party the night away.