Why is harbor of rio de janeiro a natural wonder

Later, cotton and rubber also began to be shipped overseas. The city remained the capital when Brazil became an independent kingdom in and a republic in Rio de Janerio, however, remains the country's second largest metropolis with a population of over 6 million, and also the third largest metropolitan area in South America. The city and the harbor are well known for their scenic beauty. There are a number of spectacular beaches here including the famous Copacabana and Ipanema. It has been eroded into the shape of a human face and can be seen for many miles out to sea.

Other sites that tourists visit here include the top of Sugarloaf Mountain which is accessible by a cable car system. From the summit of Sugarloaf, visitors can get a degree view of the famous harbor. The statue of Christ the Redeemer stands on top of the peak of Corcovado.

It is feet high and weighs tons. In the 's Catholic priest Pedro Maria Boss suggested building a large religious monument within the city.

Nothing was done immediately with the idea, but it was not forgotten. In the Catholic Circle of Rio organized a crusade to attract donations and collect signatures in support of building an enormous statue.

Several designs were considered including a cross and a statue of Jesus with a globe in his hands. Finally, a proposal showing Christ with his arms outstretched was selected. The statue, composed of reinforced concrete and faced with soapstone, was erected at the peak of Corcovado. It stands feet 40m tall and the outstretched arms are 98 feet 30m across. The statue, completed in and known as "Christ the Redeemer," weighs in at tons.

Overlooking the harbor, it is accessible by road and has become a major attraction in the region and a symbol of the city. Rio de Janeiro is also known for its extensive Carnival celebration in the spring just before the sober religious period of Lent. Parades featuring music and dancers wearing colorful costumes occur in many sections of the city. There are few people that come to this place that do not appreciate its natural beauty. The harbor has been called one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World.

Corcovado there is a foot The arms of the statue extend 98 feet 30 m across. It weighs tons. The statue is called "Christ the Redeemer".

These mountains are a part of a mountain chain that runs 1, miles km along the coast of South America. The mountains are made of hard Granite rocks and softer rock called Gneiss which is more easily eroded. This is why the mountains are steeply sided. Up until , Re de Janeiro was Brazil's capital city and is located on the south-western shore of Guanabara Bay. Additionally, the mouth of the harbor is unique resembling more of a river than a bay. Corcovado mountain, which is home to the famous Christ the Redeemer statue, overlooks the bay.

Copacabana beach graces the bay with her beautiful sand. Visitors should plan to see the Harbor of Rio de Janeiro from multiple perspectives to truly capture the grandeur this wonder has to offer. The first view should be captured from the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain, which provides views of the harbor, the city, the beaches, and Corcovado and the other monoliths.

A second view should be captured from Corcovado. This view is high and up over the city providing more of a panoramic view of the harbor. Travelers could also look to take to the skies with a helicopter flight over the bay. This will allow explorers to grasp the expanse of the bay. This is considerably easier to get to and provides an incredible view of the canyon striations and the Unkar Creek area. If you can only spend the day exploring the Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, then you should plan on going to the top of both Sugar Loaf Mountain and Corcovado.

These two views of the harbor are both unique and worthwhile. If you have more time and are more adventurous, taking a hang gliding trip off one of the granite monoliths and flying over the harbor and surrounding area will give you the most comprehensive view as well as most exciting. Boaters, or those that like to be on the water, can actually get out on a boat to explore the harbor from her waterways.

The harbor features a series of islands that boating will allow you to get closer looks. September and October are the best months to visit the Harbor of Rio de Janeiro. The weather is fairly nice and the crowds are not as big that come with the summer months.