Backgrund research on Rio

culture	Christianity is the main religion in rio de janerio, but also approximately ¼ people are protestant. Rio de Janeiro is a main cultural hub in Brazil. Its architecture embraces churches and buildings dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries, blending with the world renowned designs of the 20th century. Rio was home to the Portuguese Imperial family and capital of the country for many years, and was influenced by Portuguese, English, and French architecture Rio de Janeiro has inherited a strong cultural role from the past. In the late 19th century, there were sessions held of the first Brazilian film and since then, several production cycles have spread out, eventually placing Rio at the forefront of experimental and national cinema. The Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival has been held annually since 1999 Rio currently brings together the main production centres of Brazilian television. Major international films set in Rio de Janeiro include ‘Blame it on Rio’ by Walter Salles who is also one of Brazil's best-known directors Rio has many important cultural landmarks, such as the Biblioteca Nacional (National Library), the seventh largest library in the world with collections totalling more than 9 million items; the Theatro do Rio; the National Museum of Fine Arts; the Carmen Miranda Museum; the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden; the Imperial Square; the Brazilian Academy of Letters; the Museu de Arte Moderna do Rio de Janeiro; Christ the redeemer and the Natural History Museum.
sport	Capacity of 200,000 people, Maracanã stadium of sports. more than 130 sports associations in the city,some professional teams, and thousands of cariocas playing soccer, volleyball, and other sports on any day. Rio is host to events each year in surfing, beach volleyball, car, motorcycle, and horse racing. Cariocas have even managed to combine their passion for football and volleyball into one game—futevolei. It is played on the sand with players kicking the ball over the net instead of using their hands.
History	Europeans first encountered Guanabara Bay on January 1, 1502 (hence Rio de Janeiro, "January River"), by a Portuguese expedition under explorer Gaspar de Lemos captain of a ship. The region of Rio was inhabited by the Tupi, Puri, Botocudo and Maxakalí people. In 1555, one of the islands of Guanabara Bay, now called Villegagnon Island, was occupied by 500 French colonists under the French admiral Nicolas Durand de Villegaignon. Consequently, Villegagnon built Fort Coligny on the island when attempting to establish the France Antarctique colony. The city of Rio de Janeiro proper was founded by the Portuguese on March 1, 1565 and was named São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro, in honor of St. Sebastian, the saint who was the namesake and patron of the then Portuguese Monarch D. Sebastião. Rio de Janeiro was the name of Guanabara Bay. Until early in the 18th century, the city was threatened or invaded by several, mostly French, pirates and buccaneers. When Prince Pedro proclaimed the independence of Brazil in 1822, he decided to keep Rio de Janeiro as the capital of his new empire. Rio continued as the capital of Brazil after 1889, when the monarchy was replaced by a republic. Until the early years of the 20th century, the city was largely limited to the neighborhood now known as the historic Downtown business district
Rain forest	Rio de Janeiro is over 1930 miles (3100 km) from the Amazon Rainforest the Amazon Rainforest is located in the north-central region of Brazil. The majority of the Brazil Amazon Lodges and Amazon River Cruises are accessible from the city of Manaus, the capital of the Amazonas region. It takes about 5-6 hours by plane from Rio de Janeiro to Manaus. Some flight carriers have direct flights to and from Manaus from Miami, FL, making a trip to the Amazon Rainforest an affordable option. Another option for flying into the Amazon region is to fly into Belem, at the mouth of the Amazon River.
Olympic Events	Volleyball. The women's national team won the gold medal in the Barcelona Olympics in 1988. Rio will host the 2016 olympics.
Land marks	Christ the Redeemer is a statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; considered the largest Art Deco statue in the world and the 5th largest statue of Jesus in the world.
Food and drink	As a three-month festival of Brazilian culture opens in London, Gavin McOwan tries out the real thing in Salvador, the country's – and possibly the world's – party capitalIt is impossible to travel anywhere in Brasil without hearing the word ‘Feijoada’ mentioned at least once, and no trip to Brasil is complete without sampling this culinary delight. Feijoada […]
Art work	Brazil has experienced significant urban development and economic growth, impacting Brazilian society positively at all levels. In Rio de Janeiro’s freestyle movement, that encompasses graffiti, street art, music and performance art, one can't help but feel good walking around the city. The message that sums up the aspirations of many Rio neighborhoods, “With Pride” (Com Orgulho) is manifest everywhere. - See more at: http://travelcuriousoften.com/june12-feature5.php#sthash.NQr0MuqC.dpuf
Traditions	Much of Brazil's international reputation is centered around local traditions and celebrations such as capoeira, the national sport and the festivities of Carnaval. From the cult of soccer to Catholic holidays to the rituals of the local religion, Candomble, Brazil's traditions are both secular and sacred. In some cases, such as in the earthy revelry of Carnaval, the division seems all but clear. Carnaval, the traditional festival of decadence before Lent begins, has some of its biggest celebrations in Brazil. The cities of Rio de Janeiro and Salvador are particularly famous for their parades; the performers spend months preparing and practicing. During the two weeks immediately preceding the festival, local community bands play throughout Rio's neighborhoods. The informal pre-festival celebrations are known as "blocos." Fancy balls take place throughout the city's upscale venues. The Copacabana Palace Ball is the crown jewel of these parties. In the streets, visitors watch the Samba School Parade from Sunday night through Monday morning. Major streets close to traffic throughout the carnaval festivities. New Year's Celebrations Rio is home to Reveillon, a high-spirited New Year's celebration. Early in the day, many local restaurants serve special buffet lunches. By evening, the throngs have gathered along the city's beaches to watch the midnight fireworks display. For followers of the Afro-Brazilian religion, Candomble, New Year's celebrations include wearing all-white garb, lighting candles and setting small boats loaded with trinkets into the ocean, in offering to the sea goddess Yemenja. Bumba-meu-boi and Regional Festivals Throughout the year, numerous regional festivals take place in all corners of Brazil. In Sao Luis, the Bumba-meu-boi festival has the townsfolk act out a folk story involving the killing and resurrection of a bull. The celebrations span several months. In Salvador, the end of January brings a ceremonial washing of the steps of the Bonfim Church, an event that draws an audience of 800,000 people. Women in traditional costumes use perfumed water to wash the steps. Leading up to Easter, the citizens of Nova Jerusalem enact a passion play, the largest in all of South America. The stages of the cross last ten days, culminating on Easter Sunday.