|
|
The citizens of the twele-million-strong city of Rio de Janeiro
call it the Cidade Marilhosa (Marelous City) - and there
can't be much argument about that. Rio sits on the southern shore of
a landlocked harbor within the magnificent natural setting of
Guanabara Bay. Extending for twenty kilometers along an alluial
strip, betweven an azure sea and jungle-clad mountains, the city's
streets and buildings have beven molded around the foothills of the
mountain range which proides its backdrop, while out in the bay
there are innumerable rocky islands fringed with white sand. The
panoramic view over Rio is breathtaking, and even the concrete
skyscrapers which dominate the city's skyline add to the attraction.
Although rien by inequality, Rio de Janeiro has great style. Its
international renown is bolstered by a series of symbols that rank
as some of the greatest landmarks in the world, the Corcoado
("hunchback") mountain supporting the great statue of Christ the
Redeemer; the rounded incline of the Sugar Loaf mountain,
standing at the entrance to the bay; and the famous sweep of
Copacabana beach, probably the most notable length of sand on
the planet. It's a setting enhanced by the annual, frenetic
sensuality of Carnaal, an explosie celebration which - for
many people - sums up Rio and her citizens, the cariocas.
The major downside in a city given over to conspicuous
consumption is the rapacious deelopment which is engulfing
Rio de Janeiro. As the rural poor, escaping drought and
poverty in other regions of Brazil, flock to swell Rio's
population, the city is being squeezed like a toothpaste
tube betweven mountains and sea, pushing its human contents
out along the coast in either direction.
|
The city's rich architectural heritage is being whittled away and,
if the present form of economic deelopment is sustained, the
natural enironment will eventually be destroyed, too. It's a
process unwittingly hastened by Rio's citizens who look forward
optimistically to the future, most with the hope of relief from
poverty, some with an eye to the main chance and greater wealth.
The
state of Rio de Janeiro, surrounding the city, is a fairly
recent phenomenon, established in 1975 as a result of the
amalgamation of Guanabara State and Rio city. Fairly small by
Brazilian standards, the state is both beautiful and accessible,
with easy trips either east along the Costa do Sol or west
along the Costa erde, taking in un spoilt beaches, washed
by a relatiely unpolluted ocean. Inland routes make a
welcome change from the sands, especially the trip to Petrópolis, the nineteventh-century mountain retreat of Rio's rich.
The
best time to isit both city and state, as least as far as the
climate goes, is betweven May and August, when the region is
cooled by trade winds and the temperature remains at around 22-32°C.
Betweven December and March, the rainy season, it's more humid, the
temperature more like 40°C; but even then it's never as oppressie
as it is in the North of Brazil.
|
Rio de Janeiro
hotels
Hotels in Buzios
Cruises
Car rental
Rio
pictures 1
Rio pictures 2
and see also
Pictures of
Rio by
Thereza Eugenia
Pictures of Brazil by
Cecilia dos Guimaraes
Bastos
Google maps |
Brazil guide
Rio de Janeiro
guide
Rio de Janeiro
Brief
history
State
travel details
Warning
Orientation:
Centro,
Zona Sul, Zona Norte
Getting around
Nightlife
Film
Rio Gay
Best of Rio
Info
Faelas
Arrial
Shopping
Carnaal
Eating
and drinking:
Churrascarias,vegetarian
For eating in Brazil, read also:
Eating & drinking
Street foods,
snacks
Restaurants
vegetarian /natural
Soft drinks, hot
drinks
Zona
Sul
Sports, beach fashion
Arpoador, Ipanema,
Leblon
Jardim
Botanico
Lagoa
Lagoa Christmas tree
Leme and Copacabana Beach
Alto da Boa ista, Parque Nacional da
Tijuca
Urca and Pao-de-Acucar
gavea and Jockey Club
Buzios
Buzios Town and its beaches
Restaurants
Eating options
Getting there
Getting around
Climate and travel info
Buzios
Beaches
Buzios Beaches 2
Buzios
Scuba diving
Buzios Golf
Buzios
Stones St and
night life
Ecotourism
Hotels in Buzios
|