10 Things you Never Knew About Rio de Janeiro

Brazil’s host City of the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics is a vibrant, and often mysterious place. Most people outside of Brazil know very little about Rio de Janeiro, other than the fact that there are communities of people living in colourful favelas (densely-populated slum neighbourhoods).

Are you planning a trip to Rio? Get instant access to all of the most FUN things to do in Rio, download our FREE Rio de Janeiro travel guide app for your iPhone, iPad, Android, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV Stick. You can use the app to instantly book guided tours, activities and restaurants – best of all, it works offline! To build even more excitement for your lively Brazilian trip, count down the days, hours, minutes & seconds until your trip with our CAN’T WAIT! Vacation Countdown app 😊

Want to find out more about the Cidade Maravilhosa / Marvelous City? Check out these 10 Rio de Janeiro facts…

10. Rio de Janeiro Means “January River”

Although there isn’t a river there, the Portuguese sailed into a large bay on the 1st of January 1502 and named it “January River” (or River of January) – they mistakenly thought it was the mouth of a river. This bay was later renamed Guanabara Bay, which means “Bosom of the Sea”.

9. Samba Originated from African Slaves in Rio

The most famous dance in Brazil – the Samba – is an African dance which is synonymous with Rio Carnival. During the transatlantic slave trade, approximately 5 million African slaves were brought to Brazil and many worked on plantations in Rio de Janeiro. Samba derives from “Semba” – a traditional African music, originating from the ex-Portuguese colony of Angola, in West Africa.

8. The Pope Gave a Church Service to 3 Million People on Copacabana Beach

Rio de Janeiro hosted the 14th international World Youth Day, with events taking place between the 23rd and 28th of July 2013. Pope Francis held a Mass on Copacabana Beach on the final day of this Roman Catholic festival, attracting 3 million worshippers. This was Pope Francis’ first trip abroad since becoming Pope, and he was mobbed by large crowds on his arrival.

---

Rio de Janeiro Related Posts…

• 5 Touristy Things to do in Rio de Janeiro for a First-Timer
• 8 Travel Essentials: What to Bring to Rio de Janeiro
• Is Rio de Janeiro Safe for Tourists? Dangers & Safety Tips
• 3 Tips to Avoid Waiting 5 Hours to Visit Christ the Redeemer

---

7. Michael Jackson Shot a Music Video in one of Rio’s Favelas

Michael Jackson and movie director Spike Lee shot the music video for “They Don’t Really Care About Us” in Rio’s Santa Marta Favela (you can even take a guided tour of this favela). Rio de Janeiro officials feared that this video would damage the City’s tourism by highlighting its poverty. These officials accused Jackson of exploiting the poor and tried to prevent the video shoot from going ahead. However, Jackson and his production team persisted – and as a homage to the superstar singer, a bronze statue of Michael Jackson has been erected in a small square in the favela.

6. Ipanema Used to be a Stinky Lake

Rio’s second-most-famous beach – Ipanema – translates to “Stinky Lake” in Brazil’s native Tupi language. As Ipanema Beach is considered to be the stylish and sociable alternative to Copacabana beach, you would never guess that it’s name was so offensive!

5. Rio is Home to One of the New Seven Wonders of the World

Cristo Redentor – or Christ the Redeemer in English – is one of the new seven wonders of the world. Standing on top of Rio de Janeiro’s Corcovado Mountain, constructed from 1922 to 1931 and weighing 635 tonnes, this iconic statue of Jesus Christ is the symbol of the city.

Oh, did we tell you that we had to endure a FIVE-HOUR WAIT to see Christ the Redeemer?

4. A “Carioca” is a Resident of Rio de Janeiro

Anyone who is from Rio or lives in Rio is referred to as a Carioca. The word actually originates from the native Brazilian Tupi word “Kara’i Oka” which means “white man’s house”. Carioca’s can be credited with inventing the sport Footvolley on the sands of Copacabana beach (volleyball with the feet), as well as the famous Bossa Nova sound, which is a fusion of samba and jazz.

3. Rio Carnival is the Largest Carnival on Earth

We’ve spent new years eve on Copacabana Beach – it was absolutely heaving with people – and we were told that these crowds were nothing in comparison to the carnival. Approximately 1 million International tourists join in the celebrations with the 6.5 million cariocas already in the city.

2. It is Illegal to Sunbathe Topless on the Beach

Unlike the sea of bosoms you can be subjected to on the beaches in Spain or Turkey, you’ll not find a single bosom in sight on Copacabana or Ipanema beach in Rio. It is illegal to sunbathe topless on these beaches, but fear not – there is a nudist beach in western Rio called Apricot Beach (Praia do Abricó) that adults can visit so they can tan those hard-to-reach areas.

1. Christ the Redeemer is Struck by Lightning Several Times a Year

Standing at 125 feet / 38 metres tall (including its pedestal), the Christ the Redeemer statue is probably closer to the sky than it wants to be! Due to this, it has been struck by lightning many times and has needed to undergo repair work.