Rio de Janiero is one of the most breathtaking and naturally beautiful cities in the world with its granite peaks jutting out on land as well as off the coast and its 80km of world famous crisp white beaches. Situated between the mountains and the ocean, this tropical city is known among cariocas (residents of Rio) as the Cidade Maravilhosa or Marvelous City, and although there are many other cities in the world which are sandwiched between mountains and an ocean, there isn't another that is quite this beautiful.
There are approximately 8 million people living in Rio and the surrounding suburbs in an area designed for about one third of that number, which makes it one of the most densely populated cities in the world. One-fifth of the population lives in favelas (shantytowns). that cover quite a few of the hillsides throughout Rio. The favelas have no schools or doctors and most don't have running water or electricity. Drug trafficking and drug usage runs rampant in these areas and police corruption and brutality is a way of life. However, these statistics don't damper the spirits of the cariocas who are more interested in the samba, the beach or Carnival than problems of overpopulation and poverty. These people pursue pleasure like no other culture and there is a zest for life as well as all things pleasing and wonderful.
One of the most historically famous hotels is pictured below, The Copacabana Palace:
Rio de Janiero is also know for it's restraunts. You can see by the amount of meat on Heather's plate, that the Brazilians love their meat. These workers keep coming by your table every couple of minutes trying to shave off more meat onto your plate from this enourmous skewer.
