The capital of the state that shares its name, Rio de Janeiro, is situated along the shores of Guanabara Bay, encircled by imposing jungle-clad cliffs. Rio serves as the maritime gateway to Brazil and boasts one of South America's largest ports, handling a significant portion of the country's imports and exports.
Rio de Janeiro has a population of 6.4 million residents and is divided into 7 districts, each with its own sub-prefecture. The official currency is the Brazilian real (BRL), and the official language is Portuguese.
It was in January 1502 that the Portuguese, under the leadership of Captain Gaspar de Lemos, first set foot on the captivating shores of Guanabara Bay. Initially, they mistakenly believed they had arrived at the mouth of a river. This misunderstanding led to the name Rio de Janeiro, which translates to "January River" in Portuguese. The city was officially founded in 1565.
Prior to 1960, Rio de Janeiro served as the capital of Brazil, making it a magnet for major companies. Renowned names like Shell, EBX, Coca-Cola, IBM, and others established offices and branches in the city.
Even after the capital was relocated, Rio de Janeiro has maintained its allure for investments. Today, it stands as the financial and industrial epicenter of the country, with key economic sectors including banking, tourism, and entertainment.
