Brazil · Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City)
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
13.1 million metro
Southeast Brazil
BRT (UTC-3)
Rio de Janeiro, affectionately known as the "Cidade Maravilhosa" (Marvelous City), is Brazil's second-largest city with a metropolitan population of 13.1 million as of 2025. With a GDP of $201 billion, Rio stands as Brazil's second-largest economy and one of the most visited cities in the Southern Hemisphere. The city welcomed 6.8 million visitors in the first half of 2025 alone, representing a 20% increase from the previous year, with tourism revenue reaching R$14.5 billion during this period.
The city's iconic status is cemented by Christ the Redeemer, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, which receives over 175,000 online searches annually and attracts millions of visitors to the summit of Corcovado Mountain. Rio's stunning natural setting, framed by dramatic mountains, pristine beaches, and lush tropical forests, creates an urban landscape unmatched anywhere on Earth. The city has hosted mega-events including the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final and the 2016 Summer Olympics, showcasing its global significance.
Rio's cultural influence extends far beyond Brazil, as the birthplace of samba music, bossa nova, and the world's most famous Carnival celebration. The city's beach culture at Copacabana and Ipanema has become synonymous with Brazilian lifestyle, while its favelas tell stories of resilience and creativity. Major international events continue to boost tourism, such as Lady Gaga's May 2025 concert which brought over 130,000 visitors to the city, demonstrating Rio's enduring appeal as a world-class entertainment destination.
Standing 30 meters tall atop the 710-meter Corcovado Mountain, this iconic Art Deco statue is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Completed in 1931, the statue has become the universal symbol of Rio, offering breathtaking 360-degree views of the city, beaches, and Guanabara Bay.
The world's most famous beach stretches 4 kilometers along Rio's southern zone, featuring the distinctive Portuguese wave-pattern promenade. A cultural icon since the 1950s, Copacabana hosts major events including New Year's Eve celebrations that attract over 2 million people, creating the world's largest beach party.
Immortalized by the song "The Girl from Ipanema," this sophisticated beach neighborhood represents Rio's upscale beach culture. Known for its stunning sunsets framed by the Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers) peaks, Ipanema attracts a fashionable crowd and offers some of the city's best beachfront dining and shopping.
Rising 396 meters above Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar) is accessible via a two-stage cable car journey that has been operating since 1912. The summit provides spectacular panoramic views of Rio, including Copacabana, Christ the Redeemer, and the bay, making it one of the most photographed locations in Brazil.
One of the world's most legendary football stadiums, Maracanã hosted the 1950 and 2014 FIFA World Cup Finals, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Olympics. With a capacity of 78,000, it remains the spiritual home of Brazilian football and a pilgrimage site for soccer fans worldwide.
The iconic 18th-century aqueduct, now converted into a tramway viaduct, has become the symbol of Rio's historic Lapa neighborhood. The area surrounding the arches is the city's nightlife epicenter, famous for samba clubs, live music venues, and the colorful Selarón Steps covered with thousands of tiles from around the world.
Rio de Janeiro's economy, valued at $201 billion, is heavily driven by tourism, oil and gas, and the service sector. The city is home to Petrobras, Brazil's state oil company and one of the world's largest energy corporations. Tourism generates massive revenue, with the first half of 2025 alone bringing in R$14.5 billion, driven by the city's beaches, cultural events, and natural attractions. The city's port remains a crucial hub for trade and logistics in South America.
Culturally, Rio is the beating heart of Brazilian identity, having given the world samba, bossa nova, and the spectacular Carnival celebration that attracts millions of participants and spectators annually. The city's favelas, while facing social challenges, have become centers of cultural production, particularly in music, art, and dance. Rio's influence on global popular culture through music, film, and sports is immeasurable, from the sultry rhythms of "The Girl from Ipanema" to the football magic of Maracanã. The city's unique blend of natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, and laid-back beach lifestyle continues to captivate the world.
Founded on March 1, 1565, by Portuguese explorer Estácio de Sá, Rio de Janeiro ("January River") was named after the Guanabara Bay, which early explorers mistakenly thought was a river mouth. The city served as the capital of colonial Brazil from 1763 to 1960, and briefly as the capital of the Portuguese Empire (1808-1821) when the royal court fled Napoleon's invasion of Portugal. This unique status as a European capital in the Americas profoundly shaped Rio's architecture, culture, and institutions.
The 20th century brought dramatic transformation, with the construction of iconic landmarks like Christ the Redeemer (1931) and the development of Copacabana and Ipanema as world-famous beach destinations. While Rio lost its capital status to Brasília in 1960, it retained its position as Brazil's cultural capital and tourism magnet. The city has navigated challenges of rapid urbanization and social inequality while maintaining its status as one of the world's most beautiful and culturally significant cities, successfully hosting global mega-events and continuing to evolve as a 21st-century metropolis.
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