Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Tourism

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and 521km/324mi from Vitória.

Railway stations

Estação Dom Pedro II, Praça Cristiano Ottoni (city center)

Mauá, Avenida Francisco Bicalho (São Cristóvão)

Bus stations

Novo Rio, Avenida Francisco Bicalho 1 (São Cristóvão)

Mariano Procópio, Praça Mauá (city center)

Menezes Cortes, Rua São José/Rua da Quitanda/Avenida Erasmo Braga (Castelo)

Airports

Aeroporto Internacional do Rio de Janeiro

Aeroporto Nacional Santos Dumont

History

The origins of the city date back to the time between 1555 and 1567 when the Portuguese and the French, with their Indian allies, were fighting for predominance in Guanabara Bay. Portugal was attempting to conquer the whole area, as the only means of gaining control of the French colony of França Antárctica which had been founded by Nicolas Durand de Villegaignon. After the Portuguese victory the settlement was moved to the more easily defensible Morro do Castelo, which no longer exists. The town developed rapidly in the 18th century, when it became the port for the shipment of gold from the mining region, which had hitherto been transported on pack animals to Parati, Angra dos Reis and other small ports. The town's new social and economic importance was reflected in the Viceroys' decision in 1763 to transfer the seat of government of Brazil from Salvador to Rio de Janeiro.

Rio de Janeiro is the second major city in Brazil that is noted for its spectacular natural setting, Carnaval celebrations, tourist beaches, and Maracana, one of the world's largest football stadiums. Some well-known landmarks include the enormour statue of Jesus atop Corcovado mountain that has been named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and Sugarloaf mountain with cable cars for sightseeing.