Due to its numerous facets, Rio is the Brazilian tourism capital. This is a wonderful city, located in the Southeast Region of Brazil, with more than six million inhabitants and an area of 1,255.3 km2. The seashore of Rio de Janeiro runs for, approximately, 246 km, and the City has a green area of 325.6 km2; it is a mosaic of enchantments scattered between the sea and the mountains. Actually, Rio is a multitasking City and each day it creates solutions to provide for all wishes and tastes*.
Rio’s post card is the symbol of Brazil: the Corcovado Morro, with the Christ on its top. In the international contest, in 2007, for the New Seven Wonders of the World, Corcovado and its Christ ranked third. In addition, there is the Pão de Açúcar [Sugarloaf Morro], including a pleasurable aerial-trolley trip that reveals the entire city. The emblematic tourism points are numerous, but it is important to mention the Maracanã Stadium, the temple of the Brazilian Soccer Team, the five-time winner of the World Cup. Additionally, Maracanã will house major events of the 2014 World Cup.
We are sure you will enjoy the Passarela do Samba [Samba Runway], where the samba associations parade during the City’s largest event - Mardi Gras. The newest tourism point is the Cidade do Samba [Samba City], built by the City Hall of Rio de Janeiro, in an area of 130.000 m2, by the harbor, sheltering costumes’ studios, and where the samba associations prepare for their respective parades during Mardi Gras. The City of Samba is the synthesis of Mardi Gras, working year around and featuring daily shows, workshops and other entertainments to hosts.
A research conducted by the Universities of Michigan and California elected Rio as the City with the most amicable people of the world. This is the biggest secret of this wonderful city, the carioca spirit, which turns all urban spaces into kaleidoscopes of different attractions. Rio houses beaches, mountains, green areas, outdoor sports, and events such as New Year’s Eve parties, Mardi Gras, and so many others. Rio is historical, cultural, and busy during the daytime, offering an enticing nightlife. It has many flavors. It is for all age brackets. Rio is, like the Christ on the Corcovado Morro, with its arms wide open to embrace visitors.
Brazil, a major tropical country, and Rio de Janeiro, our bewitching City, were the choices of the IFTM Board (in Marseille, France, 2005, and Jeju, Korea, 2008) to frame our new engagement: "Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Challenge for the XXI Century".
* Data from Sindegtur, 2000.
