RIO DE JANEIRO

the most prominent city of brazil is certainly rio de janeiro. it's not the oldest though - it was founded in 1565, when brazil was a colony of portugal. rio has 6.5 million residents (only sao paulo is larger). from 1763 until 1960 it was the capital of brazil (which is now brasilia). rio has ocean beaches on its western, southern and eastern side, the most known one is copacabana. rio's eastside mountain is 'sugar loaf'; the summit can be reached via a two-stage cable car trip and provides terrific views. rio de janeiro always was and still is the main cultural hub in brazil. it has also a huge tradition in carnival - a festival of music, of costumes and of dances, with at least a million people taking part every year ...