It's impossible to think of Rio de Janeiro without dreaming of its gorgeous white-sand beaches, dramatic rainforest peaks, decadent Carnival celebrations and sensuous samba rhythms. Add to the mix one of the sexiest and most fun-loving populations on the planet and you've got paradise. That's not to imply that the city lacks a sophisticated cultural side; indeed, it is home to historic neighborhoods with impressive architecture, great museums, fabulous dining and vibrant nightlife. No wonder it's known as A Cidade Maravilhosa or "The Marvelous City".

Rio is Brazil's primary tourist attraction and second-largest city with over six million inhabitants. It lies on an inlet of Guanabara Bay on the Atlantic coast near the Tropic of Capricorn and enjoys a tropical savanna climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Portuguese explorers first arrived here on January 1, 1502 (hence the city's name, meaning "January River") but it wasn't until March 1, 1565 that the city was officially founded. During the colonial period it became the capital of Portuguese America due to its prominence as a port for the exportation of sugar, gold and precious stones and in 1808 Portugal's capital was transferred to Rio temporarily upon the invasion of Napoleon. It remained the capital of Brazil for nearly 200 years until 1960 when Brasília was built to take its place. Today the city is divided into four zones, of which the historic Downtown area is the oldest and the touristy South Zone is full of hotels and beaches.

And speaking of tourism, there's certainly no dearth of things to see or do in the city. People-watch at the busy beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, get a panoramic view of the city from Sugar Loaf hill or Mount Corcovado (with the giant Christ the Redeemer statue on top), or check out some of Rio's fascinating history and art museums. Plan a visit during Carnival and you'll witness one of the glitziest and wildest celebrations the world over, consisting of extravagant samba school parades and boisterous street parties. If all that excitement has your head spinning then there's no better antidote than the peaceful verdant environs of Rio's Tijuca National Park, Botanical Garden, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, Paquetá Island and other natural areas.