Rio is ideally situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains that reach down to the city center.. Belo Horizonte, Brazil's First Planned CityBelo Horizonte, Brazil's first planne
Trang 1Dramatic Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro's famous Copacabana Beach borders one of the world's most densely populated residential areas Rio is ideally situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains that reach down to the city center The towering granite slab
of Pão de Açúcar dominates the entrance to Baía de Guanabara
Will and Deni McIntyre/Photo Researchers, Inc
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2008 © 1993-2007 Microsoft Corporation All rights reserved
Legacy of Gold
So much gold was mined around the town of Ouro Preto in the 1700s that the area was dubbed Minas Gerais ("general mines"), now the name of the Brazilian state in which the town is located Boomtowns sprinkled the hills, rich merchants built opulent mansions, and artisans created stunning baroque churches Ouro Preto is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site Bernard Boutrit/Woodfin Camp and Associates, Inc
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Trang 2Belo Horizonte, Brazil's First Planned City
Belo Horizonte, Brazil's first planned city, was inaugurated as the capital of the state of Minas Gerais in 1897 The city's name means "beautiful horizon," and it is situated on a wide plateau on the west slope of the Serra do Espinhaço range Originally designed to occupy 20 square kilometers (7.7 square miles), Belo Horizonte is now more than ten times that size and has become a farming, transportation, and cultural hub
Ulrike Welsch/Photo Researchers, Inc
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2008 © 1993-2007 Microsoft Corporation All rights reserved
Birthplace of Brazilian Culture
The Casa de Miseri overlooks the harbor at Salvador, Brazil's first capital Founded in 1549, Salvador features elegant centuries-old colonial mansions and gilded churches It is the center of African-Brazilian culture, where Portuguese-Catholic customs blended with those of West African slaves, who were brought over to work the sugar plantations Much of what is typically thought of as Brazilian food, religion, dance, and music originated in this area
Bernard Boutrit/Woodfin Camp and Associates, Inc
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2008 © 1993-2007 Microsoft Corporation All rights reserved
Trang 3River City of Manaus
An ornate opera house built in 1896 graces Manaus, the capital city of Amazonas State in northwest Brazil The city lies on the left bank of the Rio Negro just above its junction with the Amazon River Accessible by steamer, Manaus is an important shipping point for Amazon Basin products such as Brazil nuts, lumber, and rubber Nearly half of the population of
Amazonas lives in and around Manaus, whose high temperatures and extreme humidity have not hindered growth
David R Frazier/Photo Researchers, Inc
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2008 © 1993-2007 Microsoft Corporation All rights reserved
Modern Architecture in Brasília
Construction began in 1956 on Brazil's capital city, Brasília, which is situated on the banks of the Paraná deep in the country's interior Noted for its modernist architecture and meticulous planning, the city is laid out in the shape of an airliner, with the Plaza of the Three Powers at the nose Nearby are the white twin towers, bowl, and dome that house Brazil's Congress The capital began its move from Rio de Janeiro to the new city in April 1960
Joanchim Messerschmidt./Bruce Coleman, Inc
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Trang 4Contrasts of Rio de Janeiro
The city center of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, flourishes with corporate towers, lavish high-rise buildings, and models of inventive architecture On the surrounding hillsides, bleak slums called favelas contrast harshly with the dazzling city
Stephanie Maze/Corbis
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2008 © 1993-2007 Microsoft Corporation All rights reserved
Skyscrapers of São Paulo
Capital of the state of São Paulo in southeastern Brazil, the city of São Paulo is Brazil's financial center and a headquarters for foreign banking operations Skyscrapers define the skyline of São Paulo, but a number of parks provide open, green spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy
Daniel Laine/Corbis
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Trang 5Natural Wonder of Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is one of the most visually stunning cities in the world From the cliffs that rise sharply behind Rio, the breathtaking view takes in the beach-lined city, the sharp promontory of Pão de Açúcar (also known as Sugar Loaf Mountain), and the neck of Baía de Guanabara and beyond
Yann Arthus-Bertrand/Corbis
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