Rio de Janeiro Key Facts
Location
South America
Time
UTC/GMT -3 hours
Area
486.5 square miles
Population
More than 7.5 Million (2009)
Population Density
12,382.7 per square mile (2008)
Geography
Rio de Janeiro is the second largest city in Brazil, and is the capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Rio is also known as, “The Marvelous City.” Gaspar de Lemos, a Portuguese explorer, named the city, “January River.” He thought he was entering Rio via a river, rather than the harbor of Guanabara Bay.
City of Rio de Janeiro’s latitude and longitude location is: 22 degrees 54 minutes south latitude, 43 degrees 14 minutes west longitude.
Rio’s southern part showcases famous beaches known all over the world and landmarks are all located within 17 square miles. One of its most famous landmarks is Cristo Redentor or “Christ the Redeemer” statue, sitting atop Corcovado mountain. Cristo Redentor is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Another landmark, Sugar Loaf Mountain (1,296 feet), is about five miles from Copacabana beach. Ipanema beach, as in “The Girl from Ipanema” song, is also a world famous beach and a must-see.
Government
Rio de Janeiro city is a municipality in the state of Rio de Janeiro, one of 26 states in Brazil.
Head of Government
Eduardo Paes, Mayor (2009-2012)
Recent History
Rio is dotted with slums or shanty towns called favelas. Crime is a major problem. The city is being revitalized with projects to improve favelas with community centers, schools, health clinics and more. The government has pledged a billion dollars to this effort. Other city projects are going on simultaneously so there is a revitalization push of Rio de Janeiro taking place.
Carnival in Rio de Janeiro takes place forty days before Easter and is the largest carnival of all carnivals with about half a million attendees. Rio Carnival is the benchmark for all other carnivals around the Globe. This raucous 4-day celebration with its bands, dancers and floats ends on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. The city of Rio de Janeiro is at its summer peak during Rio Carnival.
Language
Portuguese is the local language.
Religion
In the 2000 census, 70 percent are Roman Catholic with a growing number of Neo-Pentecostals.
Electricity
Voltage is primarily 110 volts and some 220 volts.
Social Conventions
Cariocas, also known as the people, of Rio de Janeiro use humor and joyous laughter in dealing with life. They are known for their expressive, joyous smiles.
Several dances are popular in Rio, not just samba. Dancing is a Rio pulse of life and a couple of other dances are Hip-hop and Forro.
Life is all about fun to Brazilians.
Read on the next page: Rio de Janeiro Top Places »
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