RIO DE
JANEIRO - BRAZIL |
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Rio de Janeiro (meaning
River of January in Portuguese) is the name of both 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 Jesus Christ the Redeemer
("Cristo Redentor") on the Corcovado mountain, and for its yearly Carnival
celebration. The current mayor is Cesar Maia.
The population of Rio de Janeiro is about 6,150,000 (as of 2004), occupying
an area of 1256 km² (485 sq. miles). The larger metropolitan area population
is estimated at 10-13 million. |
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City Districts
The city is commonly divided into the historic downtown (Centro), the
more touristic South Zone, with world-famous beaches, the industrial
North Zone, the West Zone, and the newer Barra da Tijuca region.
Centro
Centro is the historic downtown of the city. Sites of interest include
both the historic Church of the Candelaria and the modern-style
cathedral, the Municipal Theater, and several museums. Centro remains
the heart of the city's business community. The "Bondinho", a trolley
car, leaves from a downtown station, crosses a former Roman-style
aqueduct, and rambles through the hilly streets of the Santa Teresa
neighborhood nearby.
South Zone
The southern zone of Rio de Janeiro is composed of several districts,
amongst them are São Conrado, Leblon, Ipanema, Arpoador, Copacabana and
Leme, which composes Rio's famous beach coastline.
The neighborhood of Copacabana beach 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, to further guarantee the safety
of the event.
Passing Copacabana and Leme, on the district of Urca lies the Sugarloaf
Mountain ("Pão de Açúcar"), whose name characterises the famous hump
rising out of the sea. The top can be reached via cable car, accessible
from the Hill of Urca ("Morro da Urca"), and offers views second only to
Corcovado mountain. The tallest mountain in the city, however, at 842m,
is the Pedra da Gávea (Topsail Rock) in São Conrado. Hang gliding is a
popular activity on a nearby peak - after a short flight, they land on
the Praia do Pepino beach in São Conrado.
North Zone
The North Zone of Rio is home to the Maracanã stadium, still the world's
highest capacity football venue, able to hold nearly 200,000 people (however,
the biggest stadium of any type is located in Prague (Czech Republic)
but it is not suitable for football). In modern times, the capacity has
been reduced to conform with modern safety regulations, and the
introduction of seating for all fans. Currently undergoing renovation,
it will eventually hold around 120,000. Maracanã will be the site for
the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and soccer competition of the 2007
Pan American Games.
West Zone
The West Zone is the metropolitan region which is most distant from the
Center of Rio de Janeiro. It includes Barra da Tijuca, Jacarepaguá,
Campo Grande, Santa Cruz and Bangu. Barra da Tijuca remains an area of
accelerated growth, attracting mainly the richer sector of the
population, whereas neighbouring districts within the West Zone reveal
stark differences between social classes. The area has industrial zones,
but some agricultural areas still remain in its wide area. Beyond the
neighbourhoods of Barra da Tijuca and Jacarepagua, another district
which has exhibited good economic growth is that of Campo Grande. Some
modalities of sports of the Pan-American Games of 2007 will be held in
the Miécimo da Silva Sports Center, nicknamed the "Algodão" Gymnasium,
and others in the Ítalo del Cima Stadium, in Campo Grande.
Barra da Tijuca
To the west of the older zones is Barra da Tijuca, a flat expanse of
formerly undeveloped coastal land, which is currently experiencing 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). This has attracted businesses to move to the area to
take advantage of this. The large beaches of Barra da Tijuca are also
popular with the city's residents. Barra da Tijuca is the home of
Pan-American Village for the 2007 Pan American Games.
Favelas
Rio is a city of contrasts, and though much of the city clearly ranks
alongside the world's most modern metropoles, a significant percentage
of the city's 13 million inhabitants do still live in areas of poorer
quality housing. The worst of these poorer areas are the slums known as
favelas, often crowded onto the hillsides where sturdy buildings are
difficult to build, and accidents, mainly from heavy rainfall, are
frequent. Favelas, as is the case for the ghettos of New York or
Chicago, are often troubled by drug related crime and gang warfare.
Football (Soccer)
Rio de Janeiro is host to four traditional Brazilian football clubs:
Flamengo, Botafogo, Fluminense and Vasco. The famous Estádio do Maracanã
is also located in Rio de Janeiro.
Miscellaneous
The city will host the 2007 Pan American Games from July 13-29, 2007.
Copacabana beach will be the site of the triathlon and beach volleyball
with yachting competitions held in Guanabara Bay. The city is building a
new stadium near the Maracanã, to hold 45,000 people. It will be named
after Brazilian ex-FIFA president João Havelange. Rio de Janeiro was
also a candidate for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
In one episode of The Simpsons, the family went to Rio. The episode
angered several tourist officials and they threatened to sue the
producers of the show. |
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