Rio de Janeiro - the exotic former capital of Brazil, a promising holiday destination

When we think of an exotic holiday, Brazil is one of the first destinations that come into our mind. Samba, hot beaches and the famous carnival are just a few of the images that cross our mind. Where can we find all these if not in Rio, the famous metropolis where everybody is always having fun? Rio de Janeiro or simply Rio, as the locals call it, holds many attractions for the tourists, including the beautiful scenery, the annual Carnival and the famous giant statue of Christ, "Cristo Redentor" (Christ the redeemer) recently elected, among other famous monuments, to be one of the New Seven Wonders of the modern world.

It is no wonder that the city has been named "A Cidade Maravilhosa" (the Marvelous City). Until 1960, Rio de Janeiro has been the capital of Brazil (after it had formerly been the capital of the Portuguese Empire). Today, although the capital has moved to Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro remains not only the second major city in southeastern Brazil, after Sao Paolo, but also an important cultural center.

The town was founded in the year 1565, on March 1, by the Portuguese knight called Estacio de Sa. Its full name was "Sao Sebastiano do Rio de Janeiro 20", although today we use only the second half of the name. In case you wonder, the name meant "Saint Sebastian of the January 20th River" and the city was called so in the honor of Saint Sebastian, traditionally celebrated on January 20.

Today, with a population of about 12 million, Rio de Janeiro is one of the biggest cities in the world. Most of the population of the city is of Portuguese descent, but there are also a great number of African descendants. With other major ethnic groups such as Germans, Italians, Spaniards, Arabs, Jews, Koreans and Japanese, Rio de Janeiro is a true Babylon, a colorful place where all the cultures and traditions mix. If you want to know more about the history of the city, try the Brazil travel forum, where you will find a lot of information about the olden times of Brazil.

Due to the mild tropical climate of Rio, moderated by the ocean, the temperatures vary between 21 degrees and 27 degrees all year long. Thus, the weather is warm and pleasant. There is always something interesting to do or see in Rio. The beaches Copacabana and Ipanema are famous for their smooth sand, but also for the parties held here. In fact, if you are a fan of nightlife, Rio is the place to be. There are many clubs where you can party all night long, the most famous being Baronneti, Nuth and Catwalk. If you go into one of those clubs, chances are that you might meet your favorite star, as celebrities like Mick Jagger, Naomi Campbell, Ronaldo and Calvin Klein are said to visit these places.

The famous Carnival, which takes place every year 40 days before Easter, marking the beginning of Christian Lent, brings together people from all over the world. The traditional Samba dance, people in extravagant clothes enjoying themselves, good food and drinks are the things that you will find if you visit Rio this time of year. To find out more about the Carnival, read the information available on the Brazil travel forum. Another famous event is the New Year party held every year on the Copacabana beach, with fireworks and concerts, people dressed in white in the honor of the old Candomble tradition.

If you come to Rio during the carnival, you will surely leave with unforgettable memories. Rio is a wonderful place to visit, so if you have the opportunity, do not miss it. In order to find out more about Rio, accommodation, possibilities of studying or working in Brazil, Brazilian culture, traditional Brazilian food, or any other topic related to Brazil, you will find reliable information on our Brazil travel forum.

Here, people share their experiences and knowledge about Brazil, to the benefit of tourists who would like to visit Brazil and Rio. If you have visited Brazil and you have enjoyed the experience, if you have something to say about the attractions or Rio or you want to talk to other people who are passionate about Brazil, share your experience, impressions and thoughts with us on the Brazil travel forum.

If you want to relax, to party all night long and to forget about all troubles, Rio is the perfect travel destination. Famous for its annual Carnival, but not only, Rio is one of the biggest cultural centers in the world. Many celebrities visit Rio, so why should you not try it?

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Author's Note: If you want to find out more about Brazilian culture and traditions, if you are planning your first trip to Rio de Janeiro and want to learn more about the city or you simply want to share your impressions about Brazil with others, become part of the Brazil loving community on our Brazil travel forum.

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