Rio de Janeiro

　　    Rio de Janeiro is located in the southeastern part of Brazil, on the western shore of Guanabara Bay which extends northward, connected to Niterói city on the eastern shore by a 14-kilometer-long bay-crossing highway bridge. In January 1502, Portuguese colonists arrived at the bay and mistakenly thought it was the mouth of a great river, so they casually named it "January River," which was phonetically translated as "Rio de Janeiro."      The city founded half a century later took this as its name. After more than 400 years of development, Rio de Janeiro has become the second-largest metropolis after São Paulo and a hub for commerce, industry, and finance. It ranks alongside Santos Port as one of the largest foreign trade ports, and is home to Brazil’s most renowned museums, Latin America’s largest library, the world’s largest football stadium, as well as the country’s largest parks and botanical gardens.

　　    The two bread-shaped peaks (Sugarloaf Mountain) standing at the southern entrance of Guanabara Bay are the iconic symbols of Rio de Janeiro. Take the cable car up to the mountaintop at an altitude of 395 meters, and you’ll be greeted by a breathtaking panoramic view of the beautiful city: the shimmering waters of Guanabara Bay dotted with white sails; the sparkling sandy beaches lined with throngs of visitors, colorful umbrellas blooming like flowers; the wide seaside avenue stretching endlessly with a constant flow of vehicles, and rows of modern high-rises densely clustered along the shoreline...

　　    Many Christian countries around the world celebrate Carnival, but in terms of scale, number of participants, richness of content, and vibrant atmosphere, Brazil takes the lead—and among Brazilian cities, Rio de Janeiro is unmatched.

　　    Every year in mid to late February, the entire nation of Brazil erupts in three days and nights of celebration. During this time, the streets of Rio de Janeiro are adorned with lanterns and colorful flags, dressed in festive finery. People pour out of their homes in a tidal wave, flooding the streets—men, women, and children all made up and dressed up, dancing samba with wild abandon, waving their hands and swaying their hips, seemingly releasing all the worries and hardships accumulated over the past year. Various music, dance, theater performances, and competitions take place one after another.

　　 Brazil Brasília