Rio de Janeiro

A landscape carved by history, culture and nature. These are the essential components of the state of Rio de Janeiro. The Fluminense coast was initially exploited by the Portuguese, in search of the precious pau-brasil, and then followed by different invasions including the French, the most threatening one. In the XVIII century, due to the proximity with the gold mines of Minas Gerais, the region turned into a major harbour. The consequential richness due to the gold extract in the nearby mines attracted the attention of pirates.  In order to have better control and protection over the precious stones the capital was transferred from Salvador to Rio de Janeiro. For many years the region was the countries political and economic centre. Nowadays, the variety of climate and landscape and the vibrant cultural life have transformed Rio de Janeiro into the most visited city for tourists in Brazil. The wonderful scenery of the Atlantic forest which joins the sea to the mountains, the hidden waterfalls, the delicate beaches, the picturesque corners carved on the side of the rocks, the rich marine life and the beauty of the local culture are instrumental in creating a suggestive landscape. The city of Rio de Janeiro is the main tourist attraction of the state, never less the region, and offers charming and cozy beach resorts, enchanting cities, a rich architectural heritage of the colonial era, and hundreds of paradisiacal islands. The weather is nice throughout the year. Rains are more frequent in the summer.