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Rio
de Janeiro Province
Known
as the “Wonderful City”, Rio de Janeiro offers attractions
that have rendered the city international fame. Who has never heard
about carnival in Rio, the most amazing popular party in the world?
Or who has never heard about Sugar Loaf Mountain and the statue
of Christ Redeemer? Or about the beautiful beaches of Ipanema and
Copacabana, that have inspired musicians from all over the world?
Or, also, who has never heard about the Tijuca National Park –
the largest urban area natural preservation area in the Country?
Rio is all that. And much more. The city was the Brazilian capital
until 1960 – when Brasilia, the current capital, was inaugurated.
Because it was the capital, concentrating much power, the city’s
architectonic traces include luxurious and imposing constructions
– that sheltered the nobility and other important personages
of those times. Since the city’s weather is hot and pleasant
all through the year, Rio does not depend on seasons to attract
visitors. Its attractions can be appreciated any time of the year.
Whoever visits Rio soon finds out that his/her agenda is always
full – that is the pride of the local population. There is
always something to be done in the city, from exhibitions, theater
plays, dance and music shows to sports events for all tastes –
such as free flying, much appreciated by all those who enjoy strong
sensations on board a hang glider floating above the most famous
landscapes of Rio. But the Wonderful City has yet a wide range of
other attractions to offer, such as cultural centers, numberless
museums, churches, famous confectioners’, old streetcars and
beaches – many beaches. Far from the beaches
Besides the millions of visitors that thrive for the landscapes
and natural beauties and the wide range of culture and history offered
by this especially Brazilian city, a different type of tourist has
been increasingly attracted to Rio in the last few years: the business
tourist. The capital of the State of Rio de Janeiro is also one
of the greatest business centers in the Country, being constantly
chosen to host important national and international conferences,
congresses and meetings.
Events
New
Year’s Eve
In Rio de Janeiro, New Year’s Eve celebration involves the
whole city population. Local inhabitants and visitors join to celebrate
taken by the same euphoria: to be in Rio. The party, one of the
most famous in the world, is held on the famous beach of Copacabana,
gathering thousands of people to enjoy musical performances and
fireworks – increasingly exuberant year after year.
Carnival
It is the great explosion of joy in Rio. A party uniting emotions,
creativity, plasticity, colors, sounds and much fantasy. It is the
greatest popular party in the world. A unique record of the rich
cultural melting pot typical of Brazil.
Pan-American
Games
Rio de Janeiro will host the Pan-American Games of 2007. Rio’s
win to become the hosting city was celebrated not only in regard
to Brazilian sports, but also by the city’s government
tourism bureaus, which expect thousands of new tourists and
visitors to the city during the event. City facts State: Rio
de Janeiro
Region: Southeastern
Population: 5,974,081 inhabitants (IBGE 2003)
Area Code: (21) |
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Distances
Brasilia: 1160 km
Sao Paulo: 430 km
Belo Horizonte: 450 km
How
to get there
By
Plane: two airports allow access to Rio. The Antônio
Carlos Jobim International Airport of Rio de Janeiro (“Galeão”),
at 20 km from downtown, receives flights from all the largest Brazilian
and foreign cities. The Santos Dumont Airport, located at the Guanabara
Bay and near downtown, is used only for domestic flights.
By
Car/Bus: from Sao Paulo: take the BR 116 (Presidente Dutra
Highway) or the BR-101 (Rio-Santos Roadway). From Belo Horizonte:
BR 040. From Salvador: BR-101 or BR-324/BR-116/BR-393/BR-040.
By
Boat: the Port of Rio de Janeiro receives sea cruises that
travel along the Brazilian coast.
Services
Alô
Rio – Tourism information service (English and Portuguese
spoken)
Tel: +55 (21) 2542-8080/ 2542-8004 /0800-7071808
Services
available from Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 6
pm.
Antônio
Carlos Jobim International Airport of Rio de Janeiro (“Galeão”)
Add.: Av. 20 de Janeiro - Ilha do Governador
Tel: +55 (21) 3398-4527 /3398-4526 /2288-2155
Santos
Dumont Airport
Add.: Praça Senador Salgado Filho - Downtown
Tel: +55 (21) 3814-7070
New
Rio Bus Station
Site: www.novorio.com.br
Add.: Av. Francisco Bicalho, 01 - Santo Cristo - Rio de Janeiro/RJ
Tel: +55 (21) 2291-5151 / 2263-5828
Arrivals: +55 (21) 2263-4857 / 3213-1800 extension 397
Bank
Agencies:
The city hosts the great variety of national and international bank
agencies. And the majority of commercial outlets take all major
credit cards.
Related
links:
www.riodejaneiro-turismo.com.br
www.rio.rj.gov.br
Attractions In the city
Links
& Sources
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