Brazil. Rio de Janeiro. Beautiful beaches. Shantytowns. Samba and soccer. Carnival

Sugar Loaf Mountain, which rises above Guanabara Bay, offers a breathtaking, panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro—one of the most exciting and exotic cities in the world. Miles of white, sandy beaches and tall, graceful palm trees line the bay, and modern skyscrapers rise in the background.

A scene on Ipanema Beach, one of Rio's most glamorous resort areas, reflects two of the Cariocas' favorite activities—sunbathing and soccer, in the background. Sugar Loaf Mountain rises above Guanabara Bay to a height of 1,325 feet (404 meters)

Beautiful beaches. Rio de Janeiro—or simply Rio—lies nestled between forested mountains and the sparkling blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Guanabara Bay. Its name means River of January, which some historians believe refers to the month in 1503 when Portuguese seafarers first sailed into Guanabara Bay. Once the capital of Brazil, Rio is now the second largest city in South America, after Sao Paulo.

Luxurious hotels and apartment blocks overlook the crescent of Kio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach. Situated on Guanabara Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Rio is Brazil's chief seaport and an important c enter of finance, trade, and transportation.

Rio's beautiful scenery provides an enchanting setting for its friendly, fun-loving citizens, who have been called Cariocas since the city's early years. This nickname may have come from a South American Indian expression meaning white man's house. Rio's long stretches of sunny beaches encourage an easygoing life style. Cariocas flock to the beaches to play volleyball and bask in the sun or simply to enjoy the many music festivals and celebrations that take place on the sand.

Rio de Janeiro became a major seaport in the mid-1700's, when prospectors shipped gold and diamonds to Portugal and imported many supplies. The gold trade attracted many new settlers to the city. New buildings and broad boulevards modernized Rio during the early 1900's, and today it is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Important sights include the statue called Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain (1 ); Copacabana Beach (2); the Botanical Gardens (3); the Federal University (4); Tijuca National Partk (5); Maracana Stadium (6). Civic buildings line the Avenida Rio Branco (B), and the massive Rio-Niteroi Bridge (7) spans Guanabara Bay

Shantytowns. A world away from the glamorous beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana lies another, far less attractive side of Rio—the favelas (shantytowns). Here, thousands of people—about 25 per cent of Rio's population—live in run- down shacks on the hillsides and swampy shorelands.

The name favela comes from a lovely wild flower that once grew on the hills, but life in these neighborhoods is far from lovely. Poverty and violent crime are major problems, and many people suffer from malnutrition. Although the government has torn down a number of slum areas and replaced them with low-cost public housing, Rio still has nearly 300 favelas.

Samba and soccer. The lively spirit of Rio penetrates even the slums—in the form of music and dance. The driving samba beat echoes throughout the city, from the streets of the favelas to the elegant hotels along the Avenida Atlantica.

Samba was born as a musical form during the early 1900's when a group of young Carioca musicians began to combine traditional African rhythms with Portuguese folk songs popular at the time. It is often accompanied by the samba dance. Today, samba schools-dance clubs where dancers practice for months for the annual Carnival parade—can be found throughout the city.

The boundless energy of the Cariocas can also be seen in their love for soccer. Rio's huge Maracana Stadium, with a seating capacity of 200,000, is one of the largest sports arenas in the world. A soccer game "Rio-style" is a lavish spectacle, with pounding drums, colorful flags, and firecrackers accompanying the action on the field.

Carnival. Held every year during the four days before the Christian observance of Lent, the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro symbolizes the lively spirit of the city. Although it began as a Christian festival, today's Carnival owes much of its character to African traditions, which have strongly influenced its music and dancing.

Lavishly costumed samba dancers parade through the streets during the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro. Often called "the greatest party on earth," Carnival is a colorful, four-day spectacle of dancing, singing, and merrymaking.

For many Cariocas, the Carnival is the most important event of the year. Preparations begin months in advance. Samba dancers and baterias (percussion bands) rehearse on the beach, while dressmakers create glittering, expensive costumes. Shops and street vendors stock up on colored streamers, and artists build huge carros alegoricos (parade floats).

When the Carnival finally begins, richly costumed Brazilians ride the floats through the boulevards of Rio, and samba schools compete for prizes in dazzling parades. Street parties, costume balls, and dancing on the beach add to the fun.