Carnival Information

MAPS & WEATHER

Officially, Carnival (as it is spelled in Portuguese) lasts four days, the four days proceeding Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. To compensate for the deprivation ahead, people rack up their sins in advance, with a deliciously carnal, sensual, blowout in honor of “King Mono”, the supreme ruler of Carnival.

Rio de Janeiro has a tropical climate with warm to hot temperatures year round and mid to high humidity. Summer heat can be high, sometimes reaching 40C (104F). However, the cool waters of the local beaches provide an excellent escape,as do high elevation areas nearby, such as Petropolis and Terezopolis. Rain is moderately high, being most heavy in the summer months. The same cool waters enjoyed by local beachgoers prevent tropical cyclones from forming off the coast of Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro is located at 22 degrees, 54 minutes latitude, 43 degrees, 14 minutes west longitude.

The population of the City of Rio de Janeiro is estimated at 7.3 million, occupying an area of 475.5 miles. The larger metropolitan area population is estimated at 12.2 million. Rio is Brazil’s second largest city after Sao Paulo and was Brazil’s capital city until 1960, when the “futuristic” city of Brasilia took Rio’s place as Brazil’s new capital. Residents of Rio are known as “Cariocas” and the official song of Rio is known a “Cidade Maravilhosa” or “Marvelous City”.