Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro (Portuguese: Rio de Janeiro, meaning 'River of January', commonly referred to as Rio), was the capital of Brazil from 1763 to 1960 and is now the second largest city in Brazil, second only to São Paulo. It is an important gateway to Brazil and South America and one of the most economically developed regions in the area, known as a major transportation hub and a center for information communication, tourism, culture, finance, and insurance in Brazil and South America. Home to the world's largest Maracanã Stadium, which can accommodate 200,000 spectators, the permanently preserved Remite Cup is stored here. The Port of Rio de Janeiro, located within the city, is backed by mountains and faces the water, making it one of the three great natural harbors in the world; the seaside scenery is beautiful, making it a famous tourist destination in South America. The Christ the Redeemer statue is a symbol of the city and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The most acclaimed event is Rio's 'Carnival', which is the largest and most internationally renowned carnival in Brazil. The 2024 Rio Carnival officially kicked off on February 9th, and it is highly anticipated!