Rio de Janeiro is known, here in Brazil, as "the wonderful city"!

I think this is quite right because where else can we find such a beautiful mixture of

sea and mountains?

The big mountain guarding the entrance of Guanabara Bay  is known as Sugar Loaf

Hill, one of our most visited touring points.

In January 1st of 1502, a naval expedition from Portugal arrived here  and as the

sailors thought they were entering a large river they called the newly discovered

 land Rio de Janeiro (Rio, river, Janeiro,January).

Nowadays, our city has more than five millions of inhabitants  (5.551.538 according

 to offical data records from  1996 census) in an  area of 43.909,7 km². 

As others big cities, Rio has many social problems but it's natural beauty keeps

attracting tourists from everywhere. 

Corcovado Hill on which top stands a 40 metres  statue of Jesus Christ.

 The statue was designed by Paul Landwski, (a French sculptor) and was settled in 1931.

Below the hill you can see Rodrigo de Freitas Laggoon,  Ipanema and Leblon beaches

Ipanema and Leblon Beaches

I have been living in Leblon for almost 20 years! It's one of the most  charming

places in Rio! The beach is always there inviting us to sunbathe  or to have a long 

walk along it.  

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Music playing: "Valsa de uma cidade"
by Brazilian composers Ismael Neto & Antonio Maria

Graphics by:

Helena, Irene,  Grace & Lalla

Page created on March, 2001