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- Rio de Janeiro:
Official website: http://www.governo.rj.gov.br
Capital: Rio de Janeiro (State and city have the same name)
Area: 43,909 km2
Important cities: Nova Iguaçu, Niterói, Duque de Caxias, São Gonçalo, São João de Meriti, Volta Redonda
Economy: petroleum, tourism, steel
The State of Rio de Janeiro has as capital the city of Rio de Janeiro. The city of Rio is the most well known Brazilian city, with famous landmarks like
Copacabana beach, the Sugar Loaf and the Christ; however, other cities from Rio are relevant, like Campos and Macaé (main producers of petroleum in Brazil),
Petropólis (Historic city), Buzios and Angra dos Reis (touristic coastal cities), etc.
People from the State of Rio are called fluminenses; people from the city of Rio are called cariocas. Old books may still bring references to the State of Guanabara: after
the Federal District (capital of the Republic) was moved to Brasilia, in 1960, the city of Rio de Janeiro was elevated to the condition of State of Guanabara (name of the
large bay which washes the city or Rio); however, in 1975, Guanabara was incorporated to the State of Rio, and returned to the condition of municipality, with the old name
of city of Rio de Janeiro.
In Portuguese, the name means "River of January". The first Portuguese explorers to reach the area found the Guanabara Bay on January 1st 1502, and, mistaking the bay by a
river, named the place as Rio de Janeiro, which was later extended to the city and to the State.
- Physical Geography:
Most of Rio lies on a geological structure called Brazilian Crystal Basement; the rocks, gnaisses and granites which make up the basement are the oldest of Brazilian
territory. The structure had many tectonic alterations, which resulted in the several elevations, hills, mountains and valleys which caracterize the coastal line of Rio
(Sugar Loaf and Corcovado are examples of tectonic movements); the entire State of Rio de Janeiro has a profile of mountains and depressions.
The State can be divided in three morphologic frames: the coastal low lands (referred to as Baixada Fluminense), the coastal elevations and the highlands.
The Baixada stretches all along the coast, with a large diversity of morphology (rocky mountains, beaches, dunes, lagoons, and other formations can be found in the shores
of Rio); there are three large bays: Guanabara, Sepetiba and Ilha Grande. The coastal elevations are seen from Cabo Frio to the Guanabara Bay: isolated hills or grouped
mountains ranging from 200 m to 500 m of altitude.
Most of the State are located in highlands (often higher than 1000m), which resulted from the eruption of the several mountain chains which cover Rio de Janeiro. The chain
which separates São Paulo from Rio is known as Serra do Mar; between Rio and Minas, itīs called Serra da Mantiqueira (the highest point of the State is Pico das Agulhas
Negras - Black Needles Peak, located at Mantiqueira); the mountains receive other local denominations (like Serra dos Órgãos) across the State.
- Climate:
The entire State of Rio is located in the tropical zone (the Capricorn Tropic Line is just a few degrees south of Rio); so, predominant climate is tropical, with local
changes due to altitude. In the city of Rio and neighbourhoods, average temperature is 24 degrees Celsius, and pluviosity is about 1,250 mm per year; the summer season are
usually more humid than the winter. Check out theclimate in the city of Rio de Janeiro by clicking the link at the top of this page.
In the countryside, climate is tropical of altitude, with average temperature slightly lower (around 20 degrees), with a better distribution of showers along the year.
- Vegetation :
Tropical forests used to cover more than 90% of the territory of Rio; large portions were devastated for urbanization and for plantations (coffee, sugar cane); preserved
areas can be found in the steepest mountains of the chains. The city of Rio has the largest area of urban forest in Brazil: the Floresta da Tijuca, reminiscent of the
Atlantic Forest, preserved in the middle of the city. Itīs just a fraction of the original forest, but still shows much of their natural wealthiness. The most important
river of Rio is the Paraíba do Sul, which comes from São Paulo and makes borders between Rio and Minas Gerais.
- History:
The first Portuguese expedition to explore the Brazilian coast, between 1501 and 1502, visited places in Rio, like the Guanabara Bay and Angra dos Reis. The only product
which attracted some interest was pau-brasil, which was very abundant in this region; because of the pau-brasil, there were many reports of French ships visiting the area
and trying to establish relationships with the indians.
With the institution of the hereditary capitanies, in 1534, the territory of Rio was split into two capitanies: São Tomé e São Vicente; the former was returned to the King
in 1545, after constant attacks from the indians; the later prospered, based on the plantations of sugar cane, but the progress was concentrated on the southern part of the
capitany, around the villages of São Vicente and São Paulo.
In 1555, the French occupied the area around the Guanabara Bay and founded the Antarctic France; until 1565, there were combats between French and Portuguese; in 1565, the
French were expelled, and Tomé de Souza founded the city of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro.
To populate the area and protect it from further invasions, Portugal not only defined Rio as one of the administrative centers of the colony (the other was Salvador), but
also stimulated the foundation of several villages along the coast, such as Angra dos Reis, Cabo Frio, São Pedro da Aldeia, Macaé, Parati and Campos dos Goitacazes.
The economy grew at a slow pace. The pau-brasil soon exhausted. Cabo Frio started the exploration of the marine salt, activity which has been lasting all these centuries.
The culture of sugar cane wasnīt so successful as in other areas, but, by the end of the 17th century, it was the most important production of Rio de Janeiro; the largest
farms were in the area of Campos, where the production of sugar is, until today, an important economic activity.
Late in the 17th century, gold was found in Minas Gerais; to facilitate taxation and combat contraband, the King of Portugal determined that
all the gold production should be exported through the port of Rio de Janeiro. Even though the production was concentrated in Minas Gerais, many villages were founded along
the path between the mines and the port. Big transformations happened in Rio: increase of population (with immigrants coming from Portugal and other areas of Brazil), the
appearance of a free working class (in contrast with the master-slave structure which existed in the cane production areas), diversification of plantations, etc.
In 1763, the city of Rio became the only administrative capital of Brazil. In 1808, fleeding from the Napoleonic Wars, the King moved the entire court to Rio de Janeiro;
the city saw improvements in the urbanization, to receive the noblčsse, which in turn brought a cultural atmosphere that the city otherwise would never have.
In 1822, after Brazil became independent, the city of Rio became capital of the Empire. Besides, while all capitanies were turned into provinces (with governants appointed
by the central government, not always to the best interest of the local population), the capitany of Rio de Janeiro retained an unique status: it would be ruled directly by
the Emperor (and all his budgetary privileges). Rio de Janeiro was not only the largest urban center of Brazil, but also the one with faster growth; there were economic,
social and culture refinements, which would make Rio the most well known Brazilian city.
The Independence coincided (better saying, had a close relationship) with the decline of the gold production. Resources were then redirected to a new product: coffee; Rio
de Janeiro had plenty of land, idle working force, a well established commerce structure, the animals used for transportation, the port. Around 1860, coffee was responsible
for more than half of Brazilian exports, and the State of Rio produced more than seventy percent of Brazilian coffee (later on, the product would find even better conditions
to grow in São Paulo, which, based on coffee, would take from Rio the position of richest Brazilian State).
With coffee, along came the railroads, which permitted a more efficient transportation. The first rails were laid toward Petropolis (named after the Emperors, Pedro I and
Pedro II) and inaugurated in 1854; many cities were also reached by trains, and had economic gains: Vassouras, Rio Bonito, Itaboraí, Campos and others.
In 1889, when the Republic was proclaimed, the culture of coffee in Rio was already seeing a decadence. The soil of Rio proved to be less fertile than in other parts, and
erosion became a serious problem (many coffee farms were replaced with cattle ranchs). More significant, however, was the fact that farmers from Rio had a heavy dependence
on the slaves, while São Paulo had already started to bring immigrants; when slavery was abolished in 1888, many farms in Rio faced bankruptcy.
With the economic decline, Rio lost also the political predominace. With the rapid development brought by coffee, São Paulo and Minas Gerais became the most important
Brazilian States; during the First Republic (until 1930), politicians from São Paulo and Minas alternated offices in the Presidency (the carioca Nilo Peçanha was President
for a brief period - June 1909 to November 1910 -, but just because he was vice-President of Afonso Pena, who died). During the period, the State of Rio had tough times to
overcome the coffee decline and find a financial balance.
In the 1940s, when Getulio Vargas disrupted the São Paulo - Minas oligarchy, the State of Rio had an economic boost. Large steel, naval and oil plants were opened.
More recently, petroleum and tourism became major economic activities.
In 1960, when the capital was moved to Brasilia, the city of Rio was turned the State of Guanabara. In 1975, the States of Rio de Janeiro and Guanabara were unified,
and Rio de Janeiro returned to the status of city.
During the long time that it was the capital, Brazilians from all States were sent to Rio de Janeiro; likewise, while, for decades, immigrant workers were distributed
across many other States, the diplomats and business men headed to Rio. Because of these facts, even after loosing economic leadership to São Paulo, Rio retained the
status of cultural capital of Brazil.
- Economy and Infrastructure:
More than other States, the economy of Rio today is related to historic events, for the city was for a long time the capital of Brazil. Until the end of the 19th century,
Rio was the richest State of Brazil (position occupied today by São Paulo). To better understand the Economy, read more about the History of Rio.
- Primary Sector:
The main product of Rio is sugar cane, with large plantations in the area of Campos. Oranges, produced in Itaborai, are also relevant. Coffee, which was introduced in Rio
before moving to São Paulo, saw a rapid decline in Rio, which hadnīt the same agility as São Paulo to cope with the eroded soils and the Slavery abolition. Several other
cultures (rice, maioc, beans, potatoes, pineapples) are scattered throughout the State, but mostly for local and regional consumption.
The areas along the river Paraíba do Sul see a concentration of livestock farms; animals are used for production of milk and dairy. There are chicken and egg farms in several
cities. The fishing sector is relevant in Rio, particularly the capture and processing of sardines. The State has the largest naval industry in Brazil, as well as a good
portuary structure.
- Industry:
Rio de Janeiro finished the 20th century as the second most industrialized State of Brazil (the position is currently being claimed by Minas Gerais). The industrialization
of Rio, however, is recent. The city prospered much with the production of gold in Minas during the 18th and 19th centuries (see History of Minas Gerais), but the influx of
money was translated much more in buldings and urbanization than in industries. Only by the end of the 19th century did the State see the first large industries: wheat mills
in Rio and Niteroi and textile industries which used the waterfalls power of Petropolis and Nova Friburgo.
The first decades of the 1900s were dominated by São Paulo and Minas Gerais, which benefited from the coffee revenues; economic decisions were focused primarily on those
two States. In the 1940s, when dictator Getulio Vargas had broken the Minas-São Paulo domination, the economy of Rio had a large boost. With financial support from Americans
and British, who were interested in having Brazil as ally during the World War II, Vargas installed important industrial complex in Rio: the Companhia Sidergica Nacional
(iron and steel), in Volta Redonda; the Companhia Nacional de Alcalis, in Cabo Frio; the Fabrica Nacional de Motores (engines), in Majé; a
Petrobrás oil refinery, in Duque de Caxias.
In the 1960s, that infrastructure had already resulted in several smaller industries. With the opening of Via Dutra, between Rio and São Paulo, several industries were
installed, aiming at the two largest consumer centers of Brazil.
Today, the most important industrial cluster is still in the capital and neighbourhood. However, many other cities have important industrial production: Niterói (metals,
glass, processed fish), São Gonçalo (cement, glass), Itaboraí (cement), Duque de Caxias (oil refinery, chemicals, vehicles), Volta Redonda (steel), Resende (vehicles) and
others.
- Extrativism:
Salt. Cabo Frio (the name means Cold Cape, a reference to the lower temperatures of the sea water) isnīt any more the largest producer of marine salt, as it once was (now,
Rio Grande do Norte is the largest producer), but itīs still one of the major suppliers of salt to the markets of Rio and São Paulo.
- Petroleum:
The State of Rio is the largest producer of petroleum and gas in Brazil; all production comes from off shore fields. Despite a recent opening of the Brazilian market,
giant Petrobras (the biggest Brazilian company) is still, by far, the largest producer. Most fields are off the coast of the city of Campos, but the most important
Petrobrás infrastructure is at the city of Macaé.
The first fields were explored in 1973. The basin of Campos is not only the most relevant producer, but also the one with the quickest growing, and where Petrobras makes
most of their investments; Petrobras has developed a world acclaimed technology to explore areas in deep sea.
The economy of the State is benefited both from the taxation and royalties over the production, but also because many of the international corporations which have been
coming to Brazil are opening offices in Rio.
- Tourism:
The city of Rio de Janeiro is the main gateway to Brazil. The combination of sea and mountains makes Rio one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Events like carnaval
and new yearīs eve attract multitudes every year. Besides the capital, many cities have touristic potential. Angra dos Reis, Saquarema, Buzios and Cabo Frio are coastal
cities, while Petropolis, Nova Friburgo and Vassouras are in the mountains.
State and city are aware of the importance of tourism to the economy. Some measures have been adopted to stimulate the industry, but the sector still relies much on private
initiatives. There is very little divulgation of the city in international markets, and the number of tourists is way below the city potential, when compared to other
destinations.
- Infrastructure:
Rio has roads to all neighbour States. Some roads (like Via Dutra, to São Paulo, and a stretch of the BR-101 which covers the Rio-Niteroi bridge) were chartered to private
enterprises; the quality of the highways improved much, but was accompanied by a significant increase of the toll fees.
As a reminiscence of the Imperial times (Pedro II was an incentivator of rail roads), the city of Rio has the largest rail grid in Brazil. The trains are used both to long
journeys (reaching Espirito Santo and Minas Gerais) and for urban transportation, used massively by the poor population.
The ports of Rio de Janeiro and Angra dos Reis are, respectively, the third and fourth in Brazil, as measured by volume of cargo. Sepetiba is used mostly to export minerals
from Minas Gerais. Niterói has less cargo movimentation, but a high traffic of ships going for maintenance by the naval industry of the city.
There are two important airports in Rio. The International Airport Tom Jobim (named after one of the most famous Brazilian musicians), former Airport Galeão, handles
international and long distance national flights; the Airport Santos Dumont (to Brazilians, Santos Dumont is the inventor of airplane) receives domestic flights, mostly
from nearby cities like São Paulo and Belo Horizonte.
- Energy:
Rio is a large consumer of energy, but most of it comes from other States; there are a few hidroelectric plants in the State, like Nilo Peçanha and Pereira Passos, but
none that ranks among the largest potentials. The city of Angra dos Reis is the only one in Brazil to have a nuclear plant; the project was started in the 1970s, in
cooperation with the German government, and foresaw the building of three plants. After years of delays, and at a cost much higher than budgeted, only one unit is
working, with frequent outages; check more about Angra I.
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