SPANISH IN THE WORLD
Spanish in the world
 
Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is a multi-faceted destination , and of course the main focus of the travel industry in Latin America. Its unique natural beauties, with the richness of its history and the contagious fun of its residents have contributed to make it a popular and loved tourist destination, especially during its two major festivals: Réveillon and Carnaval.

Rio is known as a city of contrasts: in fact, its colonial architecture provides recalling its past strikes with its modern buildings that would project Rio de Janeiro in the future.



The most common image of the town is composed by two the Sugar Loaf and the Statue of Christ the Redeemer, well known all over the world. The Sugar Loaf Mountain (Pao de Acucar),a granite mountain, offers superb views of the city, while the towering statue of Jesus Christ (Cristo Redentor) perched at the top of the Corcovado Mountain (dont’t worry, it is accessible by a steep train or winding car ride, but followed by numerous staircases) it’s worth because of the whole sight of Rio it provides.

From there you can discover and appreciate in a sole glance most of the beauties Rio de Janeiro offers: the strands of Leme, Copacabana-the most animated beach of the city-, Ipanema- the most romantic one- and Leblon, surrounded by mountains; then, just looking down, the areas of Botafogo and Flamengo.



But Rio de Janeiro is much more. The Tijuca National Park is worth because of itd historical spots, spectacular views, and a beautiful waterfall, a small chapel and unusual trees in this tropical national park. The quarter of Santa Teresa is probably the most tipical part of Rio. Together with its ancient and narrow streets and its beautiful view on the bay, it offers you the most exclusive experience in the town.

The Guanabara bay still remains one of the most intensive pleasure for your eyes. There you can apprciate building of the 17th and 18th century that are still perfectly preserved. The Botanic Garden is a park with more than 235.000 different plants and more than 5.000 trees species.