Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro state has one of the most beautiful capitals in the world: the city of Rio de Janeiro, host of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With postcard landmarks such as the Sugar Loaf, Corcovado, Guanabara Bay and many others, the capital does justice to its nickname, “Wonderful City”. The globally renown city is famous for its Copacabana and Ipanema beaches – immortalised by Bossa Nova – and for its international qualities, where visitors from all over the world feel at home. Among innumerous large-scale events, the city of Rio de Janeiro has hosted the 2012 Coupe du Monde par équipes Fencing Tournament and was the stage for the 2011 Military World Games; and the annually held Judo Grand Slam.
Still, Rio is much more than that. Cities such as Petrópolis and Paraty, a Cultural Heritage of Humanity, delight the world with its history and sophistication. The historic farms of Barra do Piraí date back to the height of the coffee era. The region of Laguna de Araruama presents pre-salt oil reserves. The Itatiaia National Park attracts climbers and adventurers from all over the world for its paradisiacal landscapes; its greatest attraction is the Pico das Agulhas Negras, peak point of the Serra da Mantiqueira.
Rio de Janeiro state, a large forming ground of great athletes, is home to some of the most important clubs of the country. Athletes like Fabi and Thaísa, gold medallists at the 2008 Beijing Games with the Brazilian National Volleyball Team, and among many others, help to maintain Rio’s solid sports tradition.
