Rio de Janeiro is located in south-eastern Brazil, on the Atlantic coast of South America. It is about 930km south-west from the capital city of Brasilia, and about 360km east of São Paulo, which is Brazil's largest city.

Estimates of Rio's population vary - but many sources quote a figure of approximately 6.7 million people, however, when considering the Greater Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area, which includes surrounding municipalities, the population rises to about 13.5 million people - making it the second-largest metropolitan area in Brazil, after São Paulo. It is the 4th largest city in South America. São Paulo is in first place with 12.4 million inhabitants, followed by Lima (Peru) in second place with 10 million, and Bogotá (Colombia) in third, with 8 million.

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most famous cities in Brazil and is known for its stunning natural landscapes, including beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema, the Sugarloaf Mountain, and the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue that overlooks the city.

The former Brazilian capital

In 1763, Rio de Janeiro was designated the capital of colonial Brazil, replacing Salvador. It retained its status after Brazil gained independence from Portugal in 1822 and continued as the nation's capital throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. However, in 1960, Rio was replaced by Brasília, a newly constructed city in the country’s interior, designed to serve as a more neutral and strategic administrative centre.

The Brazilian government decided to move the capital from Rio de Janeiro for several reasons. Rio's coastal location was seen as disproportionately benefiting the south-eastern region, especially in terms of economic and political influence. Additionally, Rio had become overcrowded and congested, with limited space for organized expansion and urban planning. The creation of Brasília was part of a broader national project to encourage development in the interior of the country and to promote greater regional equality and integration.

However, despite not being the capital city anymore, or even the largest city, Rio de Janeiro is still the most important city in Brazil, and is an important global city.

Regional importance of Rio de Janeiro

• Economic hub of south-eastern Brazil - Rio is a major centre for finance, services, and industry in the south-east region (Brazil's most developed area)

• Port of Rio de Janeiro - one of Brazil’s busiest ports, handling significant trade and supporting regional commerce

• Tourism magnet - attractions like Copacabana beach (pictured below), Sugarloaf Mountain, and Christ the Redeemer, draw in millions, boosting the regional economy

• Cultural capital of the region - a leader in music, festivals, especially samba, TV and media production, as well as important cultural attractions such as the National Museum of Fine Arts

• Transport and infrastructure hub - Rio links regional cities via road, air, and sea, making it a key node in south-eastern Brazil's logistics network

National importance of Rio de Janeiro

• Historical capital - served as Brazil’s capital from 1763 to 1960, and remains a symbol of national heritage
• Second-largest city in Brazil - with over 6 million residents, it is a population and economic powerhouse, contributing 7% of the country's GDP
• Cultural identity - home to globally recognized icons like the carnival (pictured below), bossa nova, and the Maracanã stadium - which are all deeply tied to Brazil’s national image
• Media and entertainment centre - headquarters of Rede Globo, the largest media company in Latin America
• Tourism and international recognition - a key destination that shapes Brazil’s image abroad, e.g. hosted the 2016 Olympic Games and 2014 World Cup
• Petroleum and energy sector - near offshore oil fields (e.g. Campos Basin), making it central to Brazil’s energy economy
• Scientific and educational institutions - home to top universities and research centres, such as UFRJ and Fiocruz
• Military and strategic presence - location of important naval and military facilities, contributing to national defence

Global importance of Rio de Janeiro

• World-famous tourist destination - Rio is one of the most visited cities in the Southern Hemisphere, known for iconic landmarks like Christ the Redeemer, which attracts 2 million visitors annually (pictured below), as well as Sugarloaf Mountain and Copacabana Beach
• Cultural capital of Brazil - Rio is internationally associated with carnival, samba, and bossa nova - contributing significantly to global music, dance, and festival culture; the world-famous Rio carnival is known as the 'greatest show on Earth'
• Host of major international events - Rio has hosted globally significant events including the 2016 Summer Olympics, the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the 1992 Earth Summit (UNCED), and Rio+20 (2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development)
• UNESCO World Heritage Status - its unique mix of urban landscape and natural beauty was designated as a World Heritage Site in 2012 - known as 'Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea'
• Global media and film presence - frequently featured in films, documentaries, and music videos, with well-known songs written about the beaches at Copacabana and Ipanema, which helps shape global perceptions of Brazil and Latin America

• Environmental and sustainability leadership - as the host of historic UN summits on climate and sustainable development (e.g. Earth Summit - the first major global meeting to address environmental issues), Rio plays a symbolic and strategic role in global environmental governance
• Energy and oil industry - close to major offshore oil reserves (e.g. pre-salt fields), Rio is home to Petrobras, one of the largest oil companies in the world, and Vale, a huge mining TNC
• International trade and port city - Rio’s port is a key player in Brazil’s foreign trade, connecting South America with global markets
• Global sporting legacy - the Maracanã Stadium is one of the most famous football venues in the world and a symbol of global sports culture
• City branding and global recognition - Rio has strong international branding, often ranked among the most recognizable and picturesque cities globally - similar to Paris, New York, and Tokyo
• Multicultural city - Rio is very ethnically diverse and has the largest Portuguese population outside Portugal (Portugal was the former colonial power)