Rio de Janeiro, 456 years of romance with tourism

March 1 has marked the anniversary of one of the most important icons in Brazilian history, and also of national tourism. The city of Rio de Janeiro, known worldwide for its incomparable natural and cultural attractions (such as samba, of course) completes 456 years of a rich history in the construction of the country and the local tourist market, attracting interested Brazilians and foreigners. in knowing its unique beauties. .

Some tourist spots in Rio help to understand the fame of the destination. This is the case of Pão de Açúcar, a postcard where the visitor, aboard cable cars, has a spectacular view of Guanabara Bay. Equally imposing, Christ the Redeemer, from the top of the Morro do Corcovado, also allows us to see the splendor of Rio. It is not surprising that in 2007, the place, symbol of the city and of Brazil, entered the list of the Seven Wonders of the modernity. World.

In terms of history, the center of the municipality allows a walk through centuries-old buildings, which illustrate the steps of Brazil from the period of the Empire to the Republic. The region is home to spaces such as the National Library, the Municipal Theater and the Imperial Palace, as well as the former Confeitaria Colombo. Nearby, Porto Maravilha, a revitalized area for the 2016 Olympic Games, concentrates attractions such as the Museum of Tomorrow and AquaRio, the largest aquarium in South America.

For beach lovers, there are options. In the South Zone, they include the emblematic Ipanema, the theme of one of the most played songs on the planet (Girl from Ipanema - Tom Jobim); that of Arpoador, in the left corner of Ipanema and its beautiful sunset; and that of Copacabana, one of the best known in the world, very popular for walks along its sidewalk, as well as Barra da Tijuca, Prainha and Grumari, in the West Zone of the city, further afield.

Rio is also known for its bohemianism and the city reserves a typical neighborhood of the genre: Lapa, the scene of the famous arches built in the 18th century and which concentrates several bars and concert halls, making the party of those who enjoy good drinks. and different musical rhythms. Carioca gastronomy also deserves attention. The visitor has the opportunity to taste the classic feijoada, easy to find in any neighborhood of Rio, among other local recipes.

All of these attractions help explain Rio's success in attracting tourists. By the way, a survey by the Decolar travel website points to the Marvelous City with the most sought after in the country by Brazilians in 2020. The latest International Survey of Tourist Demand, carried out by the Ministry of Tourism through the Fundación Instituto de Economic Research (Fipe). , revealed although, in 2019, the city of Rio de Janeiro was the most sought after by foreigners on their visits to the country for leisure. Rio's cuisine received a score of 8.2 from foreigners and hospitality, 8.8.

The region that houses Rio was officially mentioned for the first time when the second Portuguese exploratory expedition, commanded by Gaspar Lemos, arrived at the site in January 1502. The navigator assumed that it was the mouth of a river, which gave the place the name of Rio de Janeiro. In 1530, the Portuguese court sent another expedition to colonize the area, instead of continuing to use it simply as a stopover on their sea voyages.

Rio developed thanks to its natural vocation as a port. At the same time that gold was being discovered in the state of Minas Gerais, at the end of the 17th century, Salvador was the capital of the then colony, but the growing importance of the Rio maritime terminal ensured the transfer of the seat of power to the city. In 1960, with the inauguration of Brasilia (DF), the capital of the country was transferred to the central plateau.