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Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

Filed under: Brazil General/ Rio de Janeiro - March 30th, 2005

Rio de Janeiro is located in the south-eastern corner of Brazil, in the state of Rio de Janerio. The population of Rio is approximately 8 million, making it the second largest city in Brazil. To Rio’s residents the city is known as “Cidade Maravilhosa,” or “Marvelous City.”

Rio is a popular tourist destination for both international tourists as well as Brazilians. The city is famous for it’s amazing beaches, incredible monuments, and of course the world famous Rio Carnival! During the summer months (November through to April) Rio de Janeiro is overrun with tourists. However, because Rio is located in the Sudeste region of Brazil, it’s reasonably warm all year round.

Pictures of Rio de Janeiro-Brazil

Rio de Janeiro 440th Birthday!

Filed under: Rio de Janeiro - February 28th, 2005

Rio de Janeiro will be celebrating its 440th birthday on March 1st!! The city is ready to celebrate this memorable moment. Many celebrations will be going on throughout the city. Special presentations are going to be held at Corcovado, Sugar Loaf Mountain and Copacabana Beach.

As part of the celebration, the ilumination of the Statue of Christ will be changed to color blue exceptionally in the night that Rio turns 440th . In this occasion the color blue will be representing Peace. For 2005, Promoting Peace is the theme to be reflected by catolic people during the Lent, so Rio’s Birthday Organizators deciced to use the same theme in their most popular Monument.

The celebration will be going on during the whole month of March. On March 21st the famous rock singer Lenny Kravitz will be performing alive on the beach of Copacabana. The concert will be opened to all the people on the beach for free.

It is summer time in Brazil, the weather is really hot, so here is a good oportunnity to visit Rio de Janeiro during its birthday. This city full of enchants will be even more beautiful during it’s month birthday.

Rio de Janeiro Brazil

Filed under: Brazil General/ Rio de Janeiro - January 8th, 2005

When you are in Rio de Janeiro you will hear a lot the words “Cidade Maravilhosa,” or “Marvelous City”. The reason for that is because that’s how this beautiful location is called by Brazilians. Rio is located in the south-eastern corner of Brazil, just east of Sao Paulo and it’s the most famous tourist destination in Brazil.

In this picture you can see a beautiful view of Rio de Janeiro, which is now reaching over 40 degrees almost every day during the summer time in Brazil. Rio is just getting ready to receive tones of tourists coming from all over the world to the most popular brazilian celebration, the Carnival. For the year of 2005 the Carnival celebration will be held in the first week of February, the 5th through to the 8th.

Foot-Volley Game

Filed under: Brazil General/ Rio de Janeiro - November 30th, 2004

I will never forget that evening, it was my first visit to Rio de Janeiro; during a jog along the boardwalk I got to watch a whole match of foot-volley that was being played at Copacabana Beach. I could not believe all the tricks that those “cariocas” guys were doing with the ball.

I am so used to watching hockey and football all the time that foot-volley was so unique and amazing for me. This game is like beach volleyball but you are not allowed to use your hands or arms. You can only play using your feet, shoulders, head, legs and chest. Just imagine how hard it would be to serve the ball with your feet, and then dig the ball with your knees and set the ball with your shoulders.

I ended up watching them play for over an hour. It was really interesting because foot volley is pretty intense at this beach, there were people betting money on who was going to win, and some of the players even had coaches trying to help them win the match. I would definately recommend that if you are in Brazil, and there is a chance to watch people play this sport, definately take advantage of that opportunity. It is so amazing, you will be shocked at how much control the players have over the ball. Rio de Janeiro is known for its foot-volley, so it is best to watch there.

Rio’s Gavea Rock

Filed under: Brazil General/ Rio de Janeiro - November 27th, 2004

One of my favorite attractions in Rio de Janeiro is Gavea Rock. This rock towers 2,830 ft (862m) high and is located between Sao Conrado and Barra da Tijuca. It’s very popular with hikers and climbers since the view from the top of this rock is fantastic, not to mention the climb presents a tantalizing challenge.

Personally I’m fascinated by the history of Gavea Rock. Some say this rock has a face carved into it - like a South American Sphinx. While others speculate this is merely a natural phenomenon and it just happens to look like a face. Face or not, no one can dispute the unexplained inscriptions carved into the sides of Gavea Rock. It’s believed these mysterious inscriptions where made by the ancient Phoencians. Some archaeologists suggest the Phonecians used Gavea Rock as burial tomb for one of their kings.

In this photo I found you can see Gavea Rock towering over the city of Rio de Janiero.