Welcome to Rio de Janeiro
Rio is in southeastern Brazil, surrounded by Espirito Santo, Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo and the Atlantic Ocean (to the east). It was the capital of Brazil from 1763-1960. Rio is Brazil's main centre for cultural events, leisure, and tourism. Brazil's second largest urban centre is Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo being the first. The area is 16,871 sq miles (43,696) sq km).