Rio de Janeiro, the Wonderful City Be careful, the charm of Rio de Janeiro might cause nostalgic symptoms when you leave. Rio has great international tourism and some of its monumental icons are the Sugar Loaf, the Christ the Redeemer Statue (one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World), the traditional Carnival and the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Barra da Tijuca. Business tourism is another attraction, as Rio de Janeiro maintains an increasing industrial development and is also a cultural and political center.
History – The name originated from the discovery of the city on 1st January 1502 by Portuguese navigators who sighted the Bay of Guanabara. They believed it was the estuary of a large river and named it Rio de Janeiro, which also became the name of the State. The city was founded in 1565 by Estácio de Sá and was named Saint Sebastian of Rio de Janeiro, in homage to the King of Portugal at the time, D. Sebastian. Two hundred years later, in 1763, Rio de Janeiro became the capital of Brazil, a title it kept until 1960 when Brasilia, the present capital of the country, was inaugurated. Today, Rio de Janeiro is the second largest city of Brazil in population.
Leisure and Culture – The Morro do Corcovado (Corcovado Hill) is the greatest attraction of the city. It is 710 meters above sea level and supports the statue of Christ the Redeemer, one of the best-known monuments of the world. The ascent to the top of the Morro do Corcovado can be made by a small train on a railway which was inaugurated in 1884. There is also the Sugar Loaf, another world-known postcard where you can enjoy the most beautiful view of the Guanabara Bay, the center of town and also of the neighboring municipality of Niteroi. The beach of Copacabana provides pleasant walks and the practice of sports, with a placid sea. It is worthwhile to visit the Fort of Copacabana at Posto 6, which has been the stage of historical events in Brazil and is headquarters of the Historical Museum of the Army. The Botanical Garden includes a sector of systematic botany and a small botanical museum. Outstanding features are orchids and imperial palm trees.
Climate – In Rio de Janeiro there are local variations in the climate due to height differences, vegetation and the proximity to the ocean. During the month when RIMSA will be held, a it will be the end of the autumn season, with pleasant average temperature of 22o C.