Rio de Janeiro: Brazil's Iconic Coastal Metropolis

Rio de Janeiro is a world-famous city in Brazil, South America.

Key Facts

• Location: Atlantic coast, southeastern Brazil (state of Rio de Janeiro).
• Status: Capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro; second-largest city in Brazil (after São Paulo), ~6.7M city / 13M metro.
• Geography: Dramatic setting between mountains (Corcovado, Sugarloaf) and sea; famous beaches (Copacabana, Ipanema).
• Climate: Tropical savanna—warm year-round, rainy summer (Dec–Mar).
• Landmarks: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Maracanã Stadium, Tijuca Forest, Carnival.
• Economy: Oil, finance, tourism, media, shipbuilding.
• History: Brazil's capital 1763–1960; Portuguese royal court fled here 1808.

Rio is not the national capital (that's Brasília), but it remains Brazil's cultural heartbeat and global postcard.