Rio de Janeiro

Official website: http://www.governo.rj.gov.br

Flag	Map of Rio de Janeiro

Capital: Rio de Janeiro (State and city have the same name)
Area: 43,909 km2
Important cities: Nova Iguaçu, Niterói, Duque de Caxias, São Gonçalo, São João de Meriti, Volta Redonda
Economy: petroleum, tourism, steel


The State of Rio de Janeiro has as capital the city of Rio de Janeiro. The city of Rio is the most well known Brazilian city, with famous landmarks like Copacabana beach, the Sugar Loaf and the Christ; however, other cities from Rio are relevant, like Campos and Macaé (main producers of petroleum in Brazil), Petropolis (Historic city), Buzios and Angra dos Reis (touristic coastal cities), etc.
People from the State of Rio are called fluminenses; people from the city of Rio are called cariocas.
Old books may still bring references to the State of Guanabara: after the Federal District (capital of the Republic) was moved to Brasilia, in 1960, the city of Rio de Janeiro was elevated to the condition of State of Guanabara (name of the large bay which washes the city or Rio); however, in 1975, Guanabara was incorporated to the State of Rio, and returned to the condition of municipality, with the old name of city of Rio de Janeiro.
In Portuguese, the name means "River of January". The first Portuguese explorers to reach the area found the Guanabara Bay on January 1st 1502, and, mistaking the bay by a river, named the place as Rio de Janeiro, which was later extended to the city and to the State.

Latest News Recent information about Rio de Janeiro

Physical Geography A rare combination of sea and mountains

History The city of Rio was capital of the Colony, Empire and Republic

Travel to Rio Cultural and travel information about the State of Rio de Janeiro

Economy and Infrastructure For centuries, Rio was the economic center of Brazil

More info and photos of Rio de Janeiro Links to other sites about Rio


Read also:
Tourism in Rio de Janeiro How foreigner travellers evaluate the city


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