Rio de Janeiro
Unesco World Heritage
Rio de Janeiro is one of Brazil’s most popular cities and is known around the world for its yearly carnival, it is actually Brazil’s second largest city. With a population of approximately 6.32 million inhabitants, this Portuguese speaking city is the seventh largest in the Americas. Rio de Janeiro was first discovered on January 1, 1502. The Portuguese explorers, led by Gaspar de Lemos, came across Guanabara Bay and named it Rio de Janeiro, or January River. The city was official founded on March 1, 1565, and was called São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro (Saint Sebastian’s January River) to pay tribute to King Sebastian’s patron saint. During Napoleon’s invasion of Portugal, Portuguese nobles moved to Rio de Janeiro and made the beautiful city their capital. It became the first city outside of Europe to be considered a European capital. Because there was not enough time to build new houses for the gentry, many locals were kicked out of their homes to make room. Once Brazil gained independence from Portugal in 1822, Rio de Janeiro was named its capital. Dom Pedro named himself Dom Pedro I, the first Emperor of Brazil. The monarchy continued in Brazil until 1889, when Brazil became a republic. They kept Rio de Janeiro as their capital. Rio de Janeiro facts indicate it remained the capital of Brazil until April 21, 1960. Brasília was built in the center of Brazil and became the new capital of the South American country upon its completion. Source: http://facts.net
The site consists of an exceptional urban setting encompassing the key natural elements that have shaped and inspired the development of the city: from the highest points of the Tijuca National Park’s mountains down to the sea. They also include the Botanical Gardens, established in 1808, Corcovado Mountain with its celebrated statue of Christ, and the hills around Guanabara Bay, including the extensive designed landscapes along Copacabana Bay which have contributed to the outdoor living culture of this spectacular city. Rio de Janeiro is also recognized for the artistic inspiration it has provided to musicians, landscapers and urbanists. Source: http://whc.unesco.org
Unesco World Heritage
Rio de Janeiro is one of Brazil’s most popular cities and is known around the world for its yearly carnival, it is actually Brazil’s second largest city. With a population of approximately 6.32 million inhabitants, this Portuguese speaking city is the seventh largest in the Americas. Rio de Janeiro was first discovered on January 1, 1502. The Portuguese explorers, led by Gaspar de Lemos, came across Guanabara Bay and named it Rio de Janeiro, or January River. The city was official founded on March 1, 1565, and was called São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro (Saint Sebastian’s January River) to pay tribute to King Sebastian’s patron saint. During Napoleon’s invasion of Portugal, Portuguese nobles moved to Rio de Janeiro and made the beautiful city their capital. It became the first city outside of Europe to be considered a European capital. Because there was not enough time to build new houses for the gentry, many locals were kicked out of their homes to make room. Once Brazil gained independence from Portugal in 1822, Rio de Janeiro was named its capital. Dom Pedro named himself Dom Pedro I, the first Emperor of Brazil. The monarchy continued in Brazil until 1889, when Brazil became a republic. They kept Rio de Janeiro as their capital. Rio de Janeiro facts indicate it remained the capital of Brazil until April 21, 1960. Brasília was built in the center of Brazil and became the new capital of the South American country upon its completion. Source: http://facts.net
The site consists of an exceptional urban setting encompassing the key natural elements that have shaped and inspired the development of the city: from the highest points of the Tijuca National Park’s mountains down to the sea. They also include the Botanical Gardens, established in 1808, Corcovado Mountain with its celebrated statue of Christ, and the hills around Guanabara Bay, including the extensive designed landscapes along Copacabana Bay which have contributed to the outdoor living culture of this spectacular city. Rio de Janeiro is also recognized for the artistic inspiration it has provided to musicians, landscapers and urbanists. Source: http://whc.unesco.org