Rio de Janeiro is the second largest city of Brazil, with approximately 6.5 million inhabitants. Carioca is the one who was born in Rio. The city was the capital of Brazil from 1763 to 1960. Their wonderful Nature has helped Rio to be known as the "Marvelous City".
The city of Rio de Janeiro was founded by the Portuguese on March 1, 1565 and named São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro, after Saint Sebastian, the saint who was the namesake and patron of the then Portuguese Monarch Dom Sebastião.
Rio de Janeiro is the third richest city in Brazil, home of many universities, institutes and major private and public companies such as Petrobras, Vale do Rio Doce, BNDES, TV Globo conglomerate, among others. One of the most visited cities in the southern hemisphere and is known for its carnival and New Year´s Eve celebrations, Samba and Bossa Nova rhythms, Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon beaches.
Because of its diverse ethnical and cultural shaping, the Marvelous City that is protected by saints of all religions but mainly guarded by Christ The Redeemer, is now very proud of hosting really VIP visitors in the next couple years, such as the Pope in 2013, the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016