Rio de Janeiro ("River of January", pronounced [ˈhiw dʒi ʒʌˈnejɾu] in Portuguese, /ˈriːoʊ di ʒəˈnɛroʊ/ in English), is the second major city of Brazil, behind São Paulo. (At one time it was the largest city.) The city is capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro. It was the capital of Brazil for almost two centuries—from 1763 to 1822 while it was a Portuguese colony and from 1822 to 1960 as an independent nation. It was the de facto capital of the Portuguese Empire from 1808 to 1821. Commonly known as just Rio, the city is also nicknamed A Cidade Maravilhosa — "The Marvelous City".
It is famous for its spectacular natural setting, its Carnival celebrations, samba and other music, hotel-lined tourist beaches, such as Copacabana and Ipanema, paved with decorated black and cream swirl pattern mosaics. Some of the most famous local landmarks in addition to the beaches include the giant statue of Jesus, known as Christ the Redeemer ('Cristo Redentor') atop Corcovado mountain, which has recently been named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World; Sugarloaf mountain (Pão de Açúcar) with its cable car; the Sambódromo, a giant permanent parade stand used during Carnival; and Maracanã stadium, the world's largest football stadium. Rio also boasts the two world's largest forests inside an urban area. The first is the forest in Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca, or White Stone State Park. The second, almost connected to the first, is the famous Floresta da Tijuca, or 'Tijuca Forest'.
Rio de Janeiro
Copacabana Beach
Christ the Redeemer- on top of Corcovado Mountain in the Tijuca Forest
A view from the sand- Copacabana Beach
On a train to Santa TheresaFulfilling one of Alex's dreams
Maracanã - Largest 'futbol' Stadium in the world
4 comments:
Anyone who thinks they're a sports enthusiast in America would be put to shame by a futbol game in any other country. That's awesome you guys got to check out the stadium. I bet even with the bad weather, Rio was beautiful. One day, I'll get there...
Might I comment on the excellent photography job of the Christ the Redeemer pic? It's hard to find any random passerby who actually frames it that well. Usually they'd cut off the hands/head of the statue, or zoom in on you so you can't even see what's behind you. Just saying...
Wow! Those are some incredible pictures Les! I bet traveling for work isn't so bad when you have someone to enjoy it with!
I have always, always wanted to go to Rio de... It is spectacularly gorgeous. That first picture looks like something out of a fantasy movie.
I thought of you yesterday, my friend and her friend were discussing how Levi's 504 jeans are "magic jeans." I will have to check them out sometime.
It was so much better to have someone on a trip with me!! Any time any of you want to join me, you're more than welcome.
Crystal (and other family members), if you want some of the magic jeans, let me know. I can usually get them for about 1/2 price.
XOXO!
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