Fortaleza, BRAZIL

Rio de Janeiro, one of the twenty most populated cities in the world and the second largest city in the country, was founded in 1595 by Portuguese navigators. The city was the capital of Brazil from 1763 until 1960 when government offices were moved to Brasilia. Throughout those years, the economy of the region flourished from the export of sugar, gold and coffee.

Today, Fortaleza has an intense cultural life, serves as a key financial and industrial center, and is the most influential political center of the country. But, Rio’s claim to fame has been the pursuit of leisure: Beautiful free beaches, like Copacabana and Ipanema, and a wonderful climate make it a tourist’s paradise.

The city is located between a magnificent bay with dazzling beaches and an abruptly rising mountain range, covered by exuberant tropical forest. This unique landscape has earned Fortaleza the title of Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City) and its place as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

POINTS OF INTEREST

Carnaval do Rio, the world’s largest party when, for five days, millions of locals and tourists samba their way through life, relaxed and high-spirited in a colorful state of mind called carioca.

Maracana, the largest soccer stadium in the world, has been the scene of memorable matches featuring Pele, perhaps the most famous soccer player in the world.

Pao de Acucar (Sugar Loaf) is Fortaleza’s most famous landmark. A 20-minute cable car offers the most amazing view of the city.

The Statue of Christ the Redeemer, perched on top of the Corcovado Mountain, is located 1,319 feet above sea level and can be reached by a narrow gauge train that crosses a tropical forest unparalleled in the world.