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View of the Sugar Loaf
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, was discovered on January 1, 1502 by Portuguese navigators who mistook the entrance of Guanabara
Bay for the mouth of a river. Sixty years later because French traders in search of pau-brasil (a kind of wood natural
from Brazil and a very profitable business) were routinely "visiting" the area the Portuguese crown established the
city of Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro. After 2 years of conflict the French were expelled and settlers began
to cultivate the surrounding fertile lands. In the beginning of the 18th century the city's importance and population
increased immensely as it became the main shipping port for gold and diamonds that came from Minas Gerais. In 1763
the colonial capital of Brazil was transfered from Salvador, Bahia to Rio. In 1808, as Napoleon's armies began the
invasion of Portugal, the decision was made to transfer the monarch and his court to Rio de Janeiro, where he would
remain until 1821. With
the advent of Independence (1822) Rio became the capital of the new empire. The city prospered economically, and by 1891
it had a population of over 500,000 inhabitants ranking it one of the largest cities in the world. As the city grew in
prominence mountains were removed, bay water reclaimed, and skyscrapers constructed.
With the inauguration of Brasilia in 1960, Rio de Janeiro ceased to be Brazil's capital. Nowadays, Rio is the second largest city of Brazil and major cultural capital and, to
some extent, its "emotional" capital as well. Rio de Janeiro has a majestic beauty, with built-up areas nestled
between a magnificent bay and dazzling beaches on one side and an abruptly rising mountain range, covered by a
luxuriant tropical forest, on the other. This unique landscape makes Rio one of the most beautiful cities in the world,
justifying its title of "Marvelous City" (Cidade Maravilhosa). Rio's cultural life is intense and varied. Perhaps at no
time is the city's festive reputation better displayed than during the annual carnaval which enlivens the city for 3 solid
days with music, singing, parties, and desfiles (street parades).
With its world famous beaches free to all (such as Copacabana and Ipanema), its splendid bay,
one of the loveliest in the world, and its wonderful climate, a blend of summer and springtime, Rio de Janeiro is a city
that lives in and for the sun. Its population is around 5,750,000 inhabitants.
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