Rio travel Information. Rio tourism.

With over 500 years of history behind it, Rio de Janeiro is widely considered to be the cultural centre of Brazil. The architecture of Rio de Janeiro combines traditional structures dating back to the 16th century with modern contemporary constructions. Rio de Janeiro is a city in which Samba was invented, and music still forms a large part of day-to-day life in Rio de Janeiro. History lovers can lose themselves exploring to 50 or more museums which can be found within the city of Rio de Janeiro, in a similar light art lovers can exploit the wonderful theatres, art galleries and other cultural highlights to be found within the city.

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most spectacular cities on the planet. Even the most experienced traveler will love what the city has to offer with its lively vibrant lifestyle and its easy –going friendly people where beach life seems to rule their existence.It is located on the shores of the Guanabara Bay and takes its name from the fact that its Portuguese discoverer, Gaspar Lemos thought the Bay was a river when first visited on the first of Janeiro, 1502.

Rio de Janeiro with a population of 7 million was Brazil 's capital , from 1763 until April 21st 1960 when Brasilia became the capital and is known by its inhabitants as the "marvelous city" ( cidade maravilhosa ), due to its exurberant natural beauty, formed by beautiful sandy beaches and large rounded rock formations in the South Zone of the city in an area of only 43.87 square km (17 square miles) and compressed between the Tijuca Range ( Maciço da Tijuca ) and the sea.

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