| "> | | | | Janeiro's founding is at the foot of Sugarloaf Mountain. |
| Small summary of Rio de Janeiro ´s discovery and | | | | As it evolved over the years, the entire city was |
| foundation. | | | | relocated to the top of a hill, according to the Medieval |
| Everybody is aware that this year we are celebrating | | | | European defensive strategy, bringing the current |
| 200 years since the Portuguese Royal family arrived in | | | | center of town in a southwesterly direction, an urban |
| Rio, but how did Rio de Janeiro become what is | | | | shift which continues to this day. |
| known for today? Follows below a small summary of | | | | Sugarcane was the area's first product, with slaves |
| Rio de Janeiro historical events: | | | | from both Africa and domestic areas utilized for the |
| The Guanabara Bay was first discovered by | | | | labor. When higher-quality sugarcane from northern |
| explorers from Portugal in January, 1502, which is how | | | | districts of Brazil became more popular, this industry |
| the January River, as 'Rio de Janeiro' translates, gained | | | | went into decline. In 1763, the colonial administration |
| its name. At that time, 'river' was used by the | | | | was relocated to the city of Rio de Janeiro, and it |
| Portuguese for any larger body of water. Soon after, | | | | remained mainly a colonial capital until 1808, when the |
| Europeans from all over were coming there, with | | | | Portuguese royal family had to flee from Napoleon's |
| French smugglers already taking advantage of the bay | | | | invasion, winding up in Rio. Thereafter the city served |
| by 1519. The first permanent European settlement in | | | | as the kingdom's capital, becoming the only European |
| the area, called France Antarctique, was founded in | | | | capital located outside of Europe. |
| 1555 by French naval officer Nicolas Durand de | | | | Prince Pedro I then declared Brazil's independence in |
| Villegaignon. However, Villegaignon was forced to | | | | 1822, but by that time the city's economic and political |
| leave two years later after coming into conflict with | | | | importance was dwindling when compared to São |
| the rest of the settlers. | | | | Paulo. However, it remained the capital even after the |
| Portuguese knight Estácio de Sá officially founded | | | | late 19th Century, when the monarchy was thrown out |
| the city in March of 1565, calling it São Sebastião | | | | and a republic established in its place. |
| do Rio de Janeiro 20 (St. Sebastian of the January | | | | Then, in the early decades of the 20th Century, |
| 20th River). For many years, the city's common name | | | | Copacabana Beach's natural beauty combined with |
| was São Sebastião. Founded as a base from | | | | the allure of the Copacabana Palace Hotel brought Rio |
| which to conquer France Antarctique, the French were | | | | de Janeiro the reputation it retains to this day, as a |
| driven out within two years. The exact site of Rio de | | | | world wide famed beach destination. |