Tucked between the mountains and the sea, Rio de Janeiro is an unusual city on account of its geography and is certainly the part of Brazil that is best-known world-wide. At the very mention of the country even those with only the slightest knowledge of Brazil, automatically associate it with the "fabulous city".

The capital of Rio de Janeiro is endowed with a natural beauty that ranges from the beaches that indent the coastline, such as Arpoador, Ipanema and Copacabana, to the peaks that punctuate its landscape, such as the Corcovado and Sugarloaf Mountains. Rio contains the largest urban forest in the world, the Tijuca Forest, which was completely replanted during the second half of the nineteenth century. The city is still one of the main sources of national culture and is the cradle of three types of Brazilian music - the choro, the samba and the bossa.

Rio de Janeiro is dramatically set between rainforest clad cliffs and the sea is always awash with joyful existence. Locals love Rio calling it "the marvelous city" and referring to themselves as Cariocas for being part of what is undoubtedly the world's most beautiful city setting. One of the world's densest cities, it never sleeps and it is easy to get around day or night. Cariocas are friendly folks who always have time for the sensual pleasures of good living and the rhythm of samba.

Welcome to Rio Photo Gallery! You will find the most beautiful places in Rio. Credits: Riotur - Images Supply/Rio Postais Digitais Ricardo Azoury.
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