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History & Evolution
The city of Rio de Janeiro was founded on March 1, 1565, by Portuguese knight Estacio de Sa, who called it Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro (St Sebastian of the January River). In the late 16th century, the Portuguese crown began treating the village as a strategic location for the Atlantic transit of ships between Brazil, the African colonies and Europe.

Fortresses were built and an alliance was formed with nearby native tribes to defend the settlement. Brazil became independent in 1822 and Rio became capital of the Empire. Rio de Janeiro was not only the largest urban center of Brazil, but also the one with faster growth; there were economic, social and culture refinements, which would make Rio the most well known Brazilian city. Rio de Janeiro had plenty of land and idle working force In 1889, when the Republic was proclaimed, the culture of coffee in Rio was already seeing a decadence. The soil of Rio proved to be less fertile than in other parts, and erosion became a serious problem (many coffee farms were replaced with cattle ranchs).

More significant, however, was the fact that farmers from Rio had a heavy dependence on the slaves, while São Paulo had already started to bring immigrants; when slavery was abolished in 1888, many farms in Rio faced bankruptcy. With the economic decline, Rio lost also the political predominace. In the year 1960 the capital was moved to Brasilia, the city of Rio was turned the State of Guanabara. In 1975, the States of Rio de Janeiro and Guanabara were unified, and Rio de Janeiro returned to the status of city.

Site-Seeing
Rio De Janeiro is bestowed with some of the world's most beautiful mountains, beaches and cultural monuments. The city has a rich heritage and attracts large number of tourists from all over the World. The city is world famous for its carnivals and has numerous sites which attract tourists from different parts of the world.

Christ Redeemer:
The Christ Redeemer has become a symbol of the city of Rio de Janeiro. The site is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The statue stands 38 metres tall weighs 700 short tons (635 tonnes), and is located at the peak of the 700 metres (2,300 ft) Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park overlooking the city. It is the tallest of its kind in the world. It is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone. This statue is not only a symbol of Christianity but it has also become a symbol of Rio.

Location: Corcovado mountain

Samba City:
Samba City is the latest tourist attraction in Rio de Janeiro, occupying an area of 114.000 sq. meters, built in the port district by the City Hall, at Rua Rivadávia Corrêa 60, Gamboa, a district neighboring downtown. There is a reason for this choice of location for the thematic city, since it is here, considered to be "Sacred Ground", that the Carioca samba was born. The triangle, which includes the neighborhoods of Saúde, Santo Cristo and Gamboa has a great concentration of the City's popular culture, notably the personalities and entities, linked to the Carioca Carnaval. The design of Samba City forms a geometrical figure, with factories surrounding the main square. They seem like parts of a group, linking hands, forming a large circle. It is as if the world of the samba were embracing its ancestors, who were around here during the 17th and 18th centuries, bringing the art of African dance and music, to be incorporated today to Brazilian cultural traditions. The thematic city will transform Samba School activities into a permanent practice. More than a tourist attraction, Samba City has become a production center of genuine Brazilian art.

Location: Port district