By: Muhammad Sulhi Bin Mohd Ameer
The busting city of Rio de Janeiro has been one of the Brazil's most popular and frequented tourist destinations for decades. It's vibrant city centre is bursting with culture and pulsating with a deep sense of history and heritage. Rio as it commonly known, is the second largest city in Brazil and the third largest metropolis in the whole of South America.
It is the most visited city in the Southern Hemisphere which is no mean feat. This make for an imprresive, memorable attraction for visitors from all over the world. Rio de Janeiro is hot for most of the year, rain is frequent during the period between Dcember and March. The coastal areas are cooler than those situated inland due to the cool breeze blowing off the blue waters of Atlantic Ocean. The average annual temperature is between 21 and 27 degrees Celcius.
The landscape and vegetation on and around this metropolis are magnificent, providing a visual feast that has inspired authors and screenwriters the world over.
Because of its many cultural and historical attractions, Rio has implemented fabulous infrastructure to cater to the needs of its visitors. This includes world-class accommodation and plenty of tours. Rio de Janeiro is set to one of the Host Cities for the 2104 FIFA WORLD CUP, welcoming millions of people as they make their way to this international sporting event.
In addition, it will host the 2016 Summer Olympics, inviting sportsmen and -women, as well as their millions of fans, to focus their attention on this busting destination. Major efforts have been made to minimise social inequality and modernise the economy of Rio de Janeiro to further improve its global destination. This makes for a very special destination.
During your time in Rio de Janeiro, you are urges too see the following fabulous attractions.
- The incredible surfing waves off Prainha. Whether you conquer them yourself or just watch the water-bound athletes skimming effortlessly over and under them, these wave are impresive
- Tijuca's lush, dense rainforests, which boast a number of hiking trails for those wanting to experience the flora and fauna first hand.
- Laze on the shores of Ipanema Beach or one of the many other beaches for which this city is reowned.
- Marvel at the sheer scale of the statue of Christ the Redeemer as it overlooks the city far below.
- Take the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain for spectacular views.
- Stroll down the famous Avenue Nossa Senhora de Copacabana.
- Take an official walking tour of Rio, learning fascinating facts about its historical and mordern-day heritage.
- Wnader amongst the more than 5000 species of plants and trees at the Jardim Botanico( Botanical Garden). The palm species alone exceed 900.
- Sports enthusiasts simply must experience the Maracana stadium, which seats for 100 000 spectators and has been the venue of many a heart-stopping match between international football greats.
Hitorical place in Rio de Janeiro
Samba City (Cidade Do Samba) ( Visit Site )
Samba City, occupying an area of about 114.000 sq. meters, is a fairly recent addition to Rio's infrastructure. Constructed by the City Hall, it is located in the adjoining town of Gamboa. The reason for constructing the city in Gamboa was because the city is the sacred birthplace of Carioca samba. Its architectural design is geometric in shape and includes the districts of Saúde, Santo Cristo and Gamboa. The thought behind the architecture is of accepting and acknowledging the ancestral dance of Samba, which came from Africa.
Christ the Redeemer ( Wikipedia )
The statue of Christ the Redeemer is a part of the new edition of the Seven Wonders of the World. Acting as a representative of Rio, the statue completed 77 years of its existence in 2008. The attraction, inaugurated in 1931, was built approximately 38 meters high and covers 710 meters of the Corcovado Mountain. Initially one had to climb the 220 steps to reach the statue situated on top of the mountain. However, today visitors can get to the statue by a twenty-minute tram ride or by car.
Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão De Açúcar)
Situated in the area of Urca, the Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) showcases a spectacular mountain viewpoint of Rio. The view is best appreciated on a clear day so make sure to check the weather forecast. Don't miss the attractive scenery of the coast and greenery, along with the cicade maravilhosa.
Sugarloaf Cable Car ( Wikipedia )
The Sugar Loaf Cable Car is one of the oldest cable cars in world and the first one in Brazil. Launched in 1912, the invention was the brain child of Brazilian engineer, Augusto Ferreira. Millions of tourists have travelled by the cable car, which includes some celebrity names like Roberto Carlos, Brooke Shields and Ronaldinho. The car travels through three stations: Praia Vermelha, Morro da Urca and Pão de Açucar, which are interconnected together by four cable cars.
Copacabana Neighbourhood ( Visit Site )
The Copacabana neighbourhood (which was just a small fishing village till the 1900's) flourished rapidly after the inauguration of the Copacabana Palace Hotel. In fact, the area is divided into two beaches, Leme beach and the actual Copacabana beach. The area is constantly brimming with tourists as they hang around the attractive beach, kiosks, bars and restaurants. What actually made this area famous are the Copacabana fort and the Palace hotel. In fact, the hotel has now been declared as part of Brazil's natural history. The Fort which dates back to 1914, today houses the Army Historical Museum. Ammunitions dating to the early 20th century are displayed here.
Tijuca Forest (Tijuca National Park) ( Visit Site )
The largest urban forest in the world, Tijuca National Park is home to hundreds of Amazonian species of plant and animal life. This forest is one of its kinds because it has been replanted by man in the early 1900s after years of deforestation for coffee plantations. Covering a space of around 3,200 hectares, Major Gomes Archer, took the initiative to reforest the area with seedlings native to the Atlantic eco system. To attract tourists, over time restaurants were opened and public baths were installed. Today, every year millions of tourists visit this amazing forest to discover its wildlife.
Fiscal Island (Ilha Fiscal) ( Wikipedia )
Fiscal Island, situated within the Guanabara Bay, is home to a small green castle that was once an important venue for the Brazilian empire. Today, one of Rio's main attractions, the Ilha Fiscal castle is said to have hosted the last Imperial ball in 1889. Designed by Adolfo del Vecchio, the castle's architectural highlights are highly visible in the carved stone work and ten different types of hardwood used for the exceptional mosaics. This neo gothic castle can be visited three times a week from Thursday to Sunday.
Maracanã Football Stadium (Estádio do Maracanã)
( Wikipedia )
( Wikipedia )
Till recently the Maracanã Football Stadium was the largest football stadium in the world. Inaugurated during the FIFA World Cup in 1950, it can accommodate about 100,000 spectators. Owned by the Rio de Janeiro State Government, major football clubs like Flamengo, Fluminense, Botafogo and Vasco da Gama play their matches here. The Maracanã Football Stadium will be hosting the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremonies.
Rio Carnival
The world famous Rio de Janeiro Carnival has a history of over two centuries old. Rooted in both pagan and religious festivals, the carnival is celebrated during the four days previous to the beginning of Lent. The Rio Carnival has always been the main attraction amongst tourists. Although Carnival is celebrated in many parts Brazil, it is Rio that is known as theCarnival capital of the world. The festival starts on Saturday and ends on a Fat Tuesday, with the beginning of Lent on Wednesday.
The Rio Carnival, as we know it today, was born in an attempt to make the festivities more “civilised” in the manner of European carnivals. Masks and rich costumes were introduced by the higher classes who paraded them up and down the city streets in their open carriages. The carnival also resembles parties with drinks, food and music that carry on throughout the day and into the early hours of the morning. People come out on to the streets and dance and sing, and all this finally concludes in what is known as the Samba Parade. People participating in the Samba parade are dressed in bright attires and Samba dancers perform the world famous Latin dance forms.
The samba originated from the blend of street music and African slave songs, and today its irresistible beats and rhythms have transformed it into the main dance of the Rio Carnival, and it is an inextricable part of the local identity.
Today the Carnival is the most popular and largest festival in the country, with four days of music and dance, taking place on the streets, as well as several costume gala balls held at the main hotels in the city.
The Samba Schools' Parade(Desfile das Escolas de Samba) is the high point of the Carnival in Rio, and takes place in the Sambadrome's Prof.
The Darcy Riveiro runway takes place during February 22nd and 23rd nights. The show starts at 9.00pm in the evening, lasting until the small hours of the following day. Six special groups of samba schools perform each night, having up to 80 minutes to march down the runway. The winner of the Samba Parade is elected on Wednesday and the Winners Parade is held on Saturday. It includes the six special group schools that made the best score, the winner of the access group, and other special attractions.
The Samba Schools' rehearsals may also be attended, after paying a small fee. These often turn into parties and this is usually a good way to enjoy some samba music and a magnificent show.
June Bonfire Festivals (Festas Juninas)
( Wikipedia )
Festas Juninas is a traditional festival celebrated in honour of Saint John. Generally, this festival is celebrated during the winter season in Brazil and in summer in Europe. The story behind this celebration goes that the Saint John's mother Elizabeth wanted to announce the arrival of her son. So she lit a fire and erected a pole with a doll placed on the top to announce his birth. Today, this festival is celebrated in honour of three saint's St. John, St. Anthony, and St. Peter who were born during the month of June. The festival is celebrated in churches, schools, city squares by lighting bonfires, playing games, dancing and singing.
Brazil's Independence Day
( Wikipedia )
Brazil's Independence Day which falls on September 7 is a public holiday for all nationals. Rio natives celebrate their independence with lot of excitement and joy. Thousands of people come out on the streets to celebrate their freedom from Portugal. Various kinds of embellishments such as balloons, streamers and banners decorate every nook and corner of the city. There are parades in schools and the Brazilian flag is hoisted in all public and government organizations with great pride. In the evening there are fireworks displays in the city square which is worth watching.
