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And the winner is….Rio De Janeiro, Brazil!

Also known as A Cidade Maravilhosa (The Marvelous City) it wears its name well leaving visitors in awe of its grandiose views. The city is famous for its carnival celebrations, world renowned beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, not to mention its samba music and more. One of the most well known figures that has invaded our minds through popular images is the statue of Christ called Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) looking over the city at the top of Corcovado Mountain. The magnificent masterpiece recently was named as one of the newest Seven Wonders of the World. Situated at the mouth of Guanabara Bay on a peninsula that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean is Sugarloaf Mountain another flawless sight of nature the city has to offer. It has one of the largest urban forests in the world. Floresta Da Tijuca is a mountainous hand planted rainforest. It is the home of hundreds of species of plants and wildlife unfortunately many being threaten by extinction. This forest contains the massive sculpture of Christ the Redeemer and was declared a national park back in 1961.

 

Rio has tropical climates with long periods of rain running from December to March. Temperatures can be extreme maxing sometimes at 104 degrees Fahrenheit. But on the south side near the beaches it is often cooler from the ocean breeze. It was once the capital of Brazil until Brasilia took its place in 1960. It is a huge city comprised of many districts with endless sightseeing, active nightlife with a laid back beach living mentality.

 

Unfortunately it is not only world famous for its beauty but also known for its violence and crime. The favelas or shantytowns are the source of some very old social problems. Most located on the city’s mountain slopes. The sights are mainly in the south side of the city near the touristy beaches. If you plan on staying in the city for an extended period of time it is wise to educate yourself on the ways of the Carioca’s which is what the locals refer to themselves. This will allow you to enjoy the city and its full potential when you explore the streets.

 

Brazilians have much to be proud of and now is their moment to shine. No adventurous traveler’s journal would be complete without an insert of this Marvelous City, now going down in history again as the first South American city to host the Olympics Games.