Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Where is Rio
Oh, Rio Rio, the roar of the tide, the sound of the surf, the southern sweep.
Oh, Rio Rio, how much impulse, how much heat in the black eyes.
Ostap Bender
“God created the world in six days, and on the seventh day he created Rio de Janeiro.”- this is what Brazilians like to say about their amazing beautiful city. Luxurious, ultra-modern buildings here easily coexist next to the poverty of the favelas, luxury hotels and many kilometers of beaches make you forget about everything in the world, and the amazing temperament of the Brazilians will not leave anyone indifferent... Noisy, contrasting and endlessly sunny, Rio deservedly bears the nickname “Amazing City”.
Rio de Janeiro is comfortably located along the shore of one of the the most beautiful bays on Earth, framed by the picturesque heights of granite rocks and verdant hills. The embankments and streets of the city are literally buried in the lush greenery of exotic plants. Millions of tourists from all over the world come here to enjoy the stunningly beautiful landscapes and feel the energy of this great city.
January River
The city owes its poetic name to the mistake of Portuguese navigators who discovered Guanabara Bay on January 1, 1502. The travelers mistook the bay for the mouth of the river, and named it Rio de Janeiro, which means “January River” in Portuguese. On March 1, 1565, a military fort called San Sebastian de Rio de Janeiro was founded on this site. Since 1763, the city became the capital of Brazil, and spent almost two centuries in this status.
Today, Rio de Janeiro is one of the most important industrial, financial and cultural centers of the country. The city is home to more than 6 million people, making it the second most populous city in Brazil after Sao Paulo. Mechanical engineering, shipbuilding, chemical, oil, pharmaceutical, woodworking industries are widely developed here; there are even diamond cutting factories in the city.
Rio de Janeiro is a major transport hub of the country, sea port the city receives a huge number of cargo and passenger ships from the most different countries In addition, the city has three railway stations and two large passenger airports.
Rio is deservedly considered cultural capital Brazil. For example, the National Library stores more than two million books, among which there are rare examples of ancient manuscripts and manuscripts. The city has many theaters and museums, conservatories and theater schools that train musical and acting personnel.
Of course, the residents of Rio de Janeiro cannot imagine their life without sports - football, as they themselves say, is the second Brazilian religion. Rio is home to one of the largest football stadiums in the world, the Maracana, built specifically for the 1960 World Cup. In addition to football, volleyball, tennis, surfing, and sailing are very popular among Brazilians. In 2016, Rio de Janeiro will become the first city in South American history to host the Summer Olympic Games.
What to see
There is an interesting saying: “To see everything in Rio de Janeiro, you need to stay here forever”. The symbol of Rio de Janeiro, without a doubt, is the famous one installed on the top of Mount Corcovado. The 38-meter-tall sculpture is one of the most popular monuments in the world and offers breathtaking views of the city from the base of the statue.
It is impossible to imagine the landscape of Guanabara Bay without famous mountain Sugar Loaf is another popular attraction in Rio de Janeiro. You can get to the top of the mountain using cable car, what in itself is already an interesting adventure?
Among the attractions of Rio de Janeiro, beaches occupy a special place. Ipanema, Copacabana, Leblon - many people associate these words with an ideal holiday by the sea. Several kilometers of sandy shore dotted with numerous bars and cafes, dazzling sun and boundless blue sea - such a cocktail can easily make time stand still!
Don't forget that Rio de Janeiro is the heart of football in Brazil. Fans of this sport simply must take a look at the legendary Maracanã stadium - the largest football stadium world, the capacity of which can reach 200 thousand people.
Rio de Janeiro from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Rio de Janeiro.
- Tours for May Worldwide
- Last minute tours Worldwide
Rio... Doesn't some traveler's heart flutter at the mention of just the first syllable? From Portuguese, the name of the city of Rio de Janeiro is translated as “January River” - it was at this time of year that the Portuguese navigator Gaspar de Lemos discovered Guanabara Bay, mistaking it for the mouth of the river. Somewhat later, when the mistake was discovered, it turned out that this was not a river at all, but the name had already stuck, so the city that grew up in those parts began to be called that.
Today, Rio is Brazil's second largest city with breathtaking scenery, a thriving beach culture and, of course, the famous annual carnival. Rio's unique "river-like" harbor is famous for the Sugarloaf Mountain and Cocovardo Peak, as well as the Tijuca Hills. All this makes it one of the natural wonders of the world. But there are also the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanemi and that very famous statue of Christ. It is not surprising that many people are mistaken in thinking that Rio is the capital of Brazil (it really was, but only until 1960).
How to get to Rio de Janeiro
There are no direct flights from Russia to Rio de Janeiro; you will have to make at least one transfer. The most convenient way is to fly from Moscow with a connection in Paris, Frankfurt am Main, Amsterdam or Rome. This route is served by Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, Alitalia, and there are joint flights with Aeroflot. The minimum travel time including a stop is almost 17 hours. Sometimes it works out a little cheaper to get first to Sao Paulo, from where about 10 flights fly to Rio every day, taking only an hour.
Since 2010, there has been an Agreement on visa-free entry of Russian citizens to Brazil for a period of no more than 90 days within six months. So at the border you just need to present your passport, return tickets and confirmation of your hotel reservation or a certain amount of money. A visa is now only required if you are traveling for the purpose of volunteering, studying or doing business.
From airport to city
Rio is a hilly city, so the funicular has become one of the convenient modes of transport. Two three-minute climbs lead to Sugarloaf Mountain, with an intermediate stop located at Urca Mountain. The lower station is located near Praia Vermelha beach, from where cabins depart every 20 minutes.
Rio has many rental stations and a city rental network with orange bicycles. You will need a local mobile phone number to register. The main advantage of “orange rental” is that the first hour you can ride for free, and each next hour costs 5 BRL. It is important to return the bike before 22:00, after which the parking lots are closed, and in the morning you will have to pay a fine of 40-45 BRL.
You can identify a free taxi car by its raised red flag. It is better to sit in the back seat, and at the end of the trip it is customary to tip the driver - approximately 10% of the amount on the meter. Travel around the city costs 30 BRL.
Hotels in Rio de Janeiro
Most of the popular hotels are located in the tourist South Zone, along the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. The cost of rooms, relative to other cities in Brazil, is very high. A place in a hostel costs from 35 BRL, a room for two in a modest three-star hotel will cost from 88 BRL, and for luxurious accommodation in a five-star beach hotel you will have to pay from 240 to 2300 BRL. In addition, houses and villas are often rented out in Rio, which is beneficial for large companies (from 4 people); an excellent house can be rented for 300 BRL per day. Due to the fact that there are few inexpensive options, it is better to book them in advance.
Prices rise during the New Year and Carnival. During these periods, 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.
Beaches
Rio de Janeiro is a huge city that has not lost its charm as a seaside resort. The beaches here are very different, not all of them are good in terms of coverage, but they are all very picturesque.
The most famous is Copacabana. This is a 4-kilometer sandy beach that has become the personification of Brazil itself. Holidays, concerts and festivals are held here, sand sculptures are built, cafes, restaurants and clubs operate here. For those who want to have an active holiday, football and beach volleyball matches are held, and there is also a surf rental.
The second most popular is Ipanema Beach, more elite, calm and safe, there are no raging waves. There are also a lot of vacationers, entertainment and sports activities here, but this section of the coast is more popular with families with children. The Atlantic Ocean is often stormy and there are rip currents, so children should not be allowed to swim unattended.
Between Copacabana and Ipanema there is Apoardor Beach - narrow and rocky, but less crowded and noisy. And the most beautiful, but also the most inaccessible section of the coast is Joatinga, a sandy and deserted place surrounded by large, dark rocks.
On all beaches, many people sunbathe directly on the sand, on a towel. But you can rent a sunbed; a set for two with an umbrella costs 20-30 BRL.
Shopping
Rio de Janeiro is the best shopping destination in Brazil. Here you can buy everything: from elite branded clothing known throughout the world to products from young designers. The boutiques are located on the main streets of Rua de Alfandega, Rua Uruguayana, Rua Buenos Aires and Rua Gonçalves Diaz. From a shopping point of view, the Ipanema district is interesting, where clothes, shoes and leather goods coexist with porcelain and records of Brazilian musicians.
To feel the atmosphere of local markets and buy summer clothes, paintings and souvenirs, you can go to the so-called “Hippie Fair”. She works for Prasa General Osorio on Sundays from 7:00 to 19:00.
It is customary to bargain in markets and shops; you can discount up to 20% of the cost of an item. The exception is fashion boutiques, where you can save money only on sales. The annual discount season starts a week after the end of the carnival - in the second half of February.
Brazilian coffee is rightfully considered the main souvenir from Rio. The most popular brands are Cafe do Ponto, Cafe Brasileiro and Pele. You should buy coffee only in beans, so the taste will last longer. In addition, you can buy cane cachaça (Brazilian rum) and tonic mate, as well as accessories for it: bombillas and calabash. Spices are very popular: it is better to choose ready-made sets, since herbs are not easy to understand; more than 11 thousand plants are used for cooking in Rio.
Friends with a good sense of humor will love a figurine in the shape of a fig or a cookie; it is interesting that in Brazil this gesture has a completely different meaning - it attracts good luck to life. Figurines are often made of wood, precious or semi-precious stones. Raw stones are also sold at every turn. Music fans can bring a disc or record with bossa nova or samba. Another symbol of Brazil is football; fans will be happy with paraphernalia of their favorite teams or other football-themed souvenirs.
Rio de Janeiro
Cuisine and restaurants of Rio de Janeiro
Throughout Brazil, the cuisine is a symbiosis of the culinary traditions of the Arabs brought here from Africa, European settlers and local Indians. One of the most popular dishes in Rio is "feijoada", a goulash made from dried meat, beans, spices and smoked meats, the rest is determined solely by the wealth of the cook's imagination, so if you decide to try it, it is better to do it in a good restaurant.
Of the drinks, first of all, of course, you should pay attention to coffee; it is brewed here truly masterfully, resulting in unusual tastes and aroma. Many people associate Rio de Janeiro with a glass of foam, considered one of the best in the world; a popular variety is “Brama”. However, beer is far from the most interesting Brazilian alcohol; if you decide to study the issue, be sure to pay attention to “cachaça” - a strong alcoholic drink made from sugar cane. The most prized product is the hacienda cachaça, which is not exported abroad. The drink is used to make the very popular caipirinha cocktail.
You can also try local wines and smoke a cigar. You can buy both in Trinidad Tabacaria and Cafe e Charutaria Lollo stores, and Planeta Sonho offers tastings.
Food in Brazil is elevated to special cult, so there is plenty to eat. The most economical tourists usually go to eateries, where they serve not only sandwiches, but also local fast food - pies with various pasta fillings. For dinner, you can go to a local restaurant, and for lunch, go to the Akilo cafe, where food is sold by weight; prices there are usually lower. Meat lovers will love the so-called “shurrascaria”, where almost all dishes consist of this product. Dinner in a restaurant for two with moderate alcohol will cost 70-120 BRL.
The best photos of Rio de Janeiro
Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo
Brazil's largest city, Rio de Janeiro, is a cultural center known for its carnivals, historical heritage and attractive tourism destinations. In this article we will talk about the features geographical location city of Rio de Janeiro.
Where is Rio de Janeiro
Rio is located in the southeastern part of Brazil, near Guanabara Bay, on the Atlantic coast, near the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo. Geographical coordinates Rio de Janeiro: 22°54"S, 43°14"W.
The area of the city is 1260 km². Rio de Janeiro is closely adjacent to the mountains, and in the north there is a plain. The northern part also has neat hills with virtually no vegetation.
The south of Rio is limited by Guanabara Bay and the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. There are a huge number of beaches here that attract tourists from all over the world. The coastal zone is closely connected with the mountainous terrain. The rock formations are part of the Serra do Mar, an ancient mountainous region in southeastern Brazil.
The western territory of Rio was limited by mountain ranges, but at the end of the 20th century roads appeared, opening access to this part of the city.
Geographical features of Rio
The entrance to the bay opens famous mountain, which was nicknamed Sugar Loaf. It received such an unusual name because of its specific shape. A rich imagination allows us to compare it with a huge lump of sugar.
The city has a dense river network, adjacent to the largest river, the Amazon. In turn, this deep-water river flows into the waters of the Atlantic and forms a huge delta.
A little history
Rio was discovered by Portuguese sailors. They mistook Guanabara Bay, located near the area, for a river, so they named the city Rio. Since it was in January, the full name sounds like “January River”. Rio de Janeiro became one of the most densely populated cities, the residence of the elite, the center of the cultural and intellectual life of the country.
For a long time, Rio was considered the capital of Brazil, but today this honorary title has gone to a small city of the same name - Brasilia.
Now you know where Rio de Janeiro is. You can learn about the location of geographical objects, what they are famous for and why they are talked about all over the world from our section -.
Many Russian-speaking people, hearing the name Rio de Janeiro, they immediately remember the Great Combinator, whose crystal dream was this city. Remember, Ostap Bender, performed by Andrei Mironov in the film “The Twelve Chairs,” sang:
"Trust the tramp and the poet
There is a city of my happy dreams in the world,
Don’t say he doesn’t exist!”
Today's Rio de Janeiro in all respects resembles the “city of happy dreams.” Ostap read in the Small Soviet Encyclopedia about the amazing bay, rich shops, magnificent buildings, coffee exports, mulattoes...
“Just imagine Shura, 1.5 million people, and everyone in white pants!”
That's right, in the last 75 years alone, Rio's population has grown to 6.4 million inhabitants, of which only a few can be seen in white pants.
Photo gallery hasn't opened? Go to the site version.
City of Happy Dreams
Rio de Janeiro(port. Rio de Janeiro) or simply Rio - the capital of the state of the same name and the former capital (1764-1960), a center of tourism, one of the largest and most visited cities in the whole South America. It is considered a real “pearl” of Brazil, located on the Atlantic coast in one of the most magnificent bays on the planet. , among the green slopes of the mountains and many kilometers of beaches, gives a special uniqueness and a certain charm. The city also attracts the attention of tourists from all over the planet with its annual carnivals, incendiary sambo and one of the 7 new wonders of the world - famous throughout the world.
No wonder the Brazilians claim that:
“God created the world in 6 days, on the seventh day the Creator created Rio de Janeiro”
Rio is rightly considered one of the most beautiful cities on Earth.
Its name translates as "January River". The area is 1260 km², the population is about 6.4 million people, making it the second most populous and largest city in Brazil, after.
Did you know that the city was discovered and named by the famous Italian navigator?
Due to its beauty, Rio is also sometimes called Cidade maravillosa, which means “Amazing City”. A local residents They like to call themselves nothing more than carioca.
A little history
Guanabara Bay was discovered on January 1, 1502 by a navigator from Portugal Gaspar de Lemos decided that this was the mouth of the river. This is where the name Rio de Janeiro comes from, literally “January River” in Portuguese. The city itself was founded 63 years later as a fortification for defense against hostile Indian tribes and French and Spanish pirates.
In 1698, a gold rush began in Brazil, when mountains of gold and diamonds were exported to Portugal through the city's port. Therefore, in 1763 adm. the center of the colony was moved from here, making Rio the main city of the country for two centuries. In 1960, an artificially constructed symbolic city became the capital of Brazil, and Rio de Janeiro acquired state status.
general information
Officially, the city is divided into 34 districts and 160 municipalities. Local residents unofficially divide it into 4 parts:
Centro (Centro) or Central Historical Zone - the financial and business center of Rio. It is here that the fashionable districts of Santa Teresa and Lapa, the famous Sambadromo, as well as many buildings of historical significance are located: the National Library, Cathedral, City Theatre, National Museum Fine Arts, Tiradentes Palace, Pedro Ernesto Palace, etc.
Laguna Rodrigo de Freitas
Zona Sul (Zona Sul) or South Zone - this includes the main tourist areas such as Ipanema, Copacabana, Flamengo, Botafogo, Leme and Leblon. Here you will find part of the bohemian quarters and many of the main tourist sites: with the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf and Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon.
Zona Norte (Zona Norte) or Northern zone– Almost all major sports stadiums are concentrated here, led by the giant football stadium, which is one of the largest in the world, accommodating up to 95,000 spectators. Local residents often call the Maracana nothing less than the temple of the second (after Catholicism) Brazilian religion - football.
Zona Oeste or Western Zone - the area furthest from the center, located in the southwest. Basically, there are poor neighborhoods and huge favelas. This also includes the area of Barra da Tijuca, with its longest beach of 18 kilometers.
Recently, ordering excursions from. has become a very fashionable, exciting and not so expensive solution. What is very important, our Russian-speaking residents!
Weather and climate
Rio de Janeiro has a tropical climate influenced by the nearby Atlantic Ocean. It is characterized by mild winters, sultry hot summers and a fairly long period of heavy rains, which often cause floods and mudslides in the city.
The average annual temperature is about +27°C, air humidity is about 90% almost all year round. From May to September (winter) the sun is almost always shining here. The lowest temperature level during this period can drop to a maximum of +18°C. It's funny that the Cariocas (locals) find this temperature insanely cold. In November-March (summer), the climate becomes less predictable: many hot sunny days, followed by torrential downpours and tropical heat up to +30-40°C.
The coldest and wettest month is July, so going here in July is not exactly a good move. The hottest month is February. In general, any month can be suitable for relaxing on the beach, except July, because... The water temperature does not drop below +20°C all year round. The average annual temperature is also very favorable for have a wonderful holiday throughout the year - an average of +23°C.
Sights of Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is known to tourists from all over the world for its many breathtaking landscapes and attractions.
Home business card and the symbol of Rio de Janeiro and all of Brazil as a whole is the famous one, erected at an altitude of more than 700 meters above sea level, on the top of Mount Corcovado. Christ rises with his arms spread wide, as if hovering over the city, protecting and blessing it from troubles. The giant sculpture was made in the capital of France - Paris, after which it was specially delivered here. In 1931, the statue was inaugurated and dedicated.
Another important symbol is the crystalline 395-meter peak - (port. Pão de Açúcar), which rises at the very entrance to Guanabara Bay, welcoming ships entering it. They say that the mountain received such an interesting name due to its shape, reminiscent of the outline of a cone, similar in shape to the containers in which Portuguese sailors transported sugar. Such containers were called Sugar Loaves, hence the name. Sugarloaf is one of the most interesting places to visit in Rio, with stunning views of the bay and city.
Rio de Janeiro is rich in many architectural monuments: ancient monasteries (San Antonio, San Bento and the Capuchin Order) and various colonial churches.
The embankments and streets boast a lush abundance of equatorial vegetation: graceful evergreen trees and a huge variety of exotic flowers. There are also many parks and an alley of palm trees, and national park Tijuca, which includes the peak of Mount Corcovado, is the largest urban forest on the planet.
Rio is also the cultural capital of Brazil. There are many libraries here (the National Library alone has more than 2 million rare manuscripts and books), museums, galleries and theaters. But one of the main cultural attractions is world famous. It boasts several dozen samba schools, whose graduates annually organize colorful processions at the carnival, which take place through the streets and at the local sambodrome.
Transport
Almost all types are presented here public transport, except trolleybuses: buses, trams, minibuses, taxis and funicular.
The main city transport is buses of various models, new, comfortable and always white, with a black coat of arms. It is worth noting that buses are the most dangerous thing on the roads of Rio; their speeds are so high that Rubens Barrichello would be jealous. The fact is that bus “drivers” here receive a piece-rate salary (for the number of kilometers driven per day), everyone tries to run as much as possible, hence the breakneck speed.
Although this has its advantages, for example, thanks to separate bus lanes and high speeds, you can get there by bus many times faster than by taxi or your own car. There are about 450 bus routes, which are capable of transporting more than 4 million passengers per day. Buses stop on request both for boarding (both at stops and between them, if you raise your hand) and for disembarking.
It should be borne in mind that yellow seats on Brazilian buses are intended for the disabled, the elderly and passengers with children.
Another popular form of public transport is the metro, which consists of 2 lines. There are well-developed taxi networks (yellow cars with taximeters, of course) and several branches of the suburban railway.
Bicycle paths are widespread, running next to beaches and parks, with a total length of more than 160 km and 60 rental points scattered throughout the city, where every tourist can rent a bicycle.
Beaches
For locals, beaches are much more than just a strip of sand where you can swim in the ocean and soak up the sun. Many people come here to meet people, chat with friends, play sports or just sit on the benches and admire the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean.
Copacabana Beach
Almost all beaches are characterized by fairly strong surf. And for Ipanema there are also dangerous coastal currents that can easily carry a person into the open ocean, so no one here risks sailing far from the shore.
Although, teams of professional rescuers work quite clearly on local beaches, who even have rescue helicopters capable of pulling people out of the water using special nets.
Scheme of Rio and its beaches
The safest beaches for swimming are those located in Guanabara Bay, one of them is Flamengo. The beaches in the bay are quite narrow, and big waves It practically never happens there, but they do not have such clean water as ocean water.
The longest beach in Rio de Janeiro is Barra da Tijuca Beach.
Safety. but on the other hand
Like all major cities, Rio has its dark sides. From a security point of view, it has long been labeled as a criminal city - foreign tourists have more than once become victims of robberies and attacks here. Especially during the carnival. A lot of scary stories can be heard on this matter.
Which is not at all surprising, because in this “city of dreams” prestigious areas are located next to disadvantaged criminal areas - giant slums located on the hillsides. Almost a quarter of the city's population lives here.
It’s better not to go here, it’s not worth the risk, but if the desire to look at the “underside of life” is so great, then it is strongly recommended to book one of the special favela tours that many local travel agencies provide. Travel agencies donate part of the profits to the criminal gangs of these favelas, which is why such excursions, although not very cheap, are safe.
Before the 2014 FIFA World Cup, city authorities cleared out a number of criminal slums and also took full control of tourist areas. Now the local police pay great attention to security and maintaining order, all these measures have significantly improved the situation on the streets.
12 points 3
ratings)
Faraway Brazil has a solid “five” in two statistical indicators at once: its territory and number of residents are in fifth place among other world powers. But the sea of Brazil and its famous beaches for many who have visited the country “where there are many wild monkeys” definitely take first place on the tourist podium.
Geographic details
When asked what sea washes Brazil, local residents answer with a smile and delight. Almost 7.5 thousand kilometers of the shores of the distant republic are at the mercy of the Atlantic Ocean, which serves as both a vacation spot and a means of livelihood for millions of Brazilians. Ranking second in size, the Atlantic extends from the northern latitudes to Antarctica itself, and is named after the ancient Greek hero Atlas.
- The surface area of the Atlantic Ocean is more than 90 million square kilometers, and the ruggedness of its coasts forms many inland seas.
- The salinity of Atlantic waters is about 35 ppm.
- The volume of all water in the second largest ocean looks like a quarter of the volume of the World Ocean.
- The most deep place The Atlantic is located at a point on the bottom in the area of the Puerto Rican Trench - more than 8740 meters.
Beach holiday
Fans of the exotic, who are not embarrassed by long-distance flights, easily answer the question of what seas are in Brazil. In their opinion, the South American country can give a bright and serene holiday on hot beaches on the shores of the most beautiful ocean. Main city, where all fans of Brazil, without exception, strive - Rio de Janeiro. It's always summer here, and the water temperature on the beaches of Rio ranges from +25 degrees in January to + 20 in July.
The main gathering place for all sunbathers is a four-kilometer strip of perfect sand with ocean waves rushing in with a measured rustle. This is what the famous Copacabana looks like, where during the day it is customary to sunbathe and swim in the ocean, and in the evening to watch the sunset and drink cocktails in the rays of the setting sun. On Copacabana Beach there are hundreds of cafes and restaurants serving authentic cuisine and culinary masterpieces for every taste and budget. Here you can play beach soccer and take part in a volleyball tournament, or rent rollerblades and ride along the entire coastline and photograph the most beautiful girls in bikinis. Another important event of Brazilian culture is the annual February carnival, which is noisy and fun, and celebrating the New Year at the seaside of Brazil is memorable with bright fireworks and swimming in the white foam of the ocean wave, which is undoubtedly more pleasant than the usual frosty snowdrifts.