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Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro is an awe-inspiring city of contrasts. Impossibly steep granite mountains jut out of the ocean between glorious stretches of golden sand, impeccable colonial buildings nestle in between modern glass skyscrapers and verdant forests tumble down hillsides into densely populated residential areas.

Culture Rio is and always has been a highly cultured city. The high density and rich ethnic mix of the population has given shape to all forms of artistic expression, which is evident in the music, dance and lifestyle of the Cariocas – especially during Carnival. There are many cultural centres, art galleries and performance venues in Rio, hosting an ever-changing series of events.

Cultural events The biggest cultural event in Rio is undoubtedly Carnival, which takes place annually in late February or early March, over the days running up to and including Shrove Tuesday. People from all over the world are attracted, in hundreds of thousands, to Rio’s annual orgy of grandiose fun and frivolity. Balls and street parties are held throughout the city during this frenetic period. Masquerade balls became popular with Rio’s elite in the mid-19th century and the poorer sections of society, not to feel excluded, popularised street celebrations with bands and parades. The main event now takes place in the purpose-built Sambodromo, where samba schools compete with music, costume, story, song, rhythm and dance in front of judges and up to 90,000 spectators.

Sport Football is a national obsession in Brazil – even more so nowadays, following the national team’s fifth World Cup win in 2002. It takes priority over food, politics and religion. Introduced by Scottish railway engineers in the 1890s, the sport soared in popularity and today, for youngsters living in the favelas, football could prove to be their passport to better lives. Pele (arguably the greatest player of all time), Rivaldo and Ronaldo are just some of the local heroes.

Nightlife Brazilians know how to party and the Cariocas are no exception. Whether it is a post-soccer beer at a beach kiosk, an evening’s entertainment at a live music venue or a cocktail at one of the growing number of trendy bars and clubs, a night out in Rio is to be savoured and enjoyed. All areas have popular bars and clubs but the beach communities of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon are particularly good for a night out. Although clubs do not usually operate formal dress codes, Cariocas tend to dress up after dark and it is best to follow suit. Some venues refuse entry to people wearing shorts and T-shirts.

Corcovado (Hunchback) The Corcovado (Hunchback) mountain – so named because of its distinctive shape – is home to probably the most memorable and identifying image of the city, that of the Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) statue. Inaugurated in 1931, the statue has become an immensely popular visitor attraction and icon for Rio, standing as it does on top of the 710m (2330ft) mountain. French sculptor Paul Landowski created the statue that stands 30m (99ft) high and has an eight-metre (26ft) pedestal containing a chapel capable of holding 150 people.

Carnival Carnival is Rio's main event. It happens at the peak of summer, when Cariocas are at their best. Festivities attract thousands of people from all corners of the world. Carnaval, as spelled in Portuguese, is a 4-day celebration. It starts on Saturday, and ends on Fat Tuesday (Mardi-Gras). Dates change every year. It's 40 days before Lent, a Catholic holiday. The Samba Parade began in the 30's - first timidly at Praca XI, and later on Av. Presidente Vargas. It found a permanent home in 1984 at the Sambodrome, in the downtown area. Today the event is broadcast to dozens of countries, and all Brazilian states. Many people think of it the greatest show on earth.

Sugarloaf If you've ever seen any postcards or pictures of Rio, you've probably seen Sugar Loaf, or Pao de Acucar, as the Brazilians call it. It is a huge rocky hill sticking out of the Guanabara Bay with an altitude of about 1,100 feet. It is connected to the mainland by cable cars, which go to another shorter hill called Morro da Urca at an elevation of 650 feet. The view from here is really breathtaking. There is a helicopter pad at the very top offering worthwhile aerial tours of the city. Check out a charming neighborhood of Rio down below at the base of the smaller hill called Urca where you can take a romantic walk with that someone special in your life.

Copacabana A large suburb of Rio, Copacabana is best known for its amazing, wide, sandy beach that stretches for four kilometres (2.4 miles). The beach is hugely popular with both residents and tourists and usually lies beneath a mass of beautiful and fit bodies. Carioca girls, in minimalist bikinis, bask in the scorching sun alongside families with their youngsters. The beach is always a hive of activity. Displaying the Brazilians’ passion for sport, joggers and power walkers use the trademark wavy black and white mosaic path that fringes the beach, cyclists whizz by in the cycle lane and the soccer fields and volleyball courts are in constant use. Strong currents can prove dangerous for swimmers, although an excellent lifeguard system exists.

Ipanema This sophisticated neighbourhood is an enticing blend of beach, bars and boutiques. The area became famous worldwide with the success of the song, The Girl from Ipanema. The song was written by composer Tom Jobim and lyricist and poet Vinicius de Moraes, who were inspired by local beauty Heloisa Pinheiro, who walked past the Velosa Bar each day when returning from school. The very bar where they sat, now known as Garota de Ipanema (Girl from Ipanema), is a popular meeting place for locals and a place of pilgrimage for visitors.

Shopping People do not generally visit Rio specifically for its shopping prowess. Typical Brazilian wares are thin on the ground, with shops orientated towards tourists, selling the usual T-shirts and resort-type souvenirs. Nevertheless, Rio is the place to invest in good-quality beach- and swimwear. Fashion clothes shops are increasingly common and Rio is also recommended for antiques and jewellery. Brazilian soccer shirts make great gifts. Official shirts are available from sports shops and are of a higher quality and more expensive than the cotton replicas found in clothes shops or for sale on the street. The main shopping streets are Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana and Rua Barata Ribeiro in Copacabana, Rua Visconde de Piraja in Ipanema and in Avenida Ataulfo de Paiva in Leblon. Rio has over 30 shopping centres located throughout the city, most of which contain supermarkets, department stores, fashion boutiques and music outlets, as well as places for one to grab something to eat. The most central is Rio Sul, Rua Lauro Muller 116, in Botafogo. Other options include the Sao Conrado Fashion Mall, Estrada da Gavea 899, Sao Conrado, and Shopping Center de Copacabana, Rua Siqueira Campos 143, Copacabana.

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