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Rio de Janeiro, "River of January";
English, is the name of both a state and a city in southeastern
Brazil. The city was the capital of Brazil (1763–1960) and of the
Portuguese Empire (1808–1821). Commonly known as just Rio, the city
is also nicknamed A Cidade Maravilhosa "The Marvelous City".
Rio de Janeiro is famous for its spectacular natural setting, its
Carnival celebrations, samba and other music, hotel-lined tourist
beaches, such as Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon and pavements
decorated with black and cream swirl pattern mosaics. 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, recently named one of the 7
wonders of the world; Sugarloaf mountain (Pão de Açúcar) with its
cable car; the Sambódromo, a giant permanent parade stand used
during Carnival; and Maracanã stadium, the world's largest. Rio also
boasts the world's largest forest inside an urban area, called
Floresta da Tijuca, or 'Tijuca Forest'.
Rio de Janeiro is located at 22 degrees, 54 minutes south latitude,
43 degrees 14 minutes west longitude (22°54′S 43°14′W). The
population of the City of Rio de Janeiro is about 6,094,183[3] (2005
IBGE estimate), occupying an area of 1,182.3 square kilometres
(456.5 sq mi)[4]. The larger metropolitan area population is
estimated at 11-12 million. It is Brazil's second-largest city after
São Paulo and was the country's capital until 1960, when Brasília
took its place. Residents of the city are known as Cariocas. The
city's current mayor (2006) is Cesar Maia. The official song of Rio
is "Cidade Maravilhosa." ("Marvelous City") |
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