Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Brazil was colonized by Portugal in the 1500s, and Rio de Janeiro was at the forefront. The city's name is derived from Portugese navigators discovering Rio in January of 1502. Janeiro means January in Portugese, and the navigators assumed the body of water they first crossed was a river (although it was a bay). Therefore, Rio de Janeiro was established, meaning "river of January." Rio was the colonial capital of Brazil until 1763, and the capital of an independnt Brazil between 1822 and 1960; this changed when the modern-day capital of Brasilia was named.

Rio de Janeiro is divided into the City Centre, which is mainly downtown and historic Rio; South Zone, featuring nature parks such as the Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro, and residence for the local governor and other officials; and the North Zone is near Sugar Loaf Mountain, consisting of more recreational centers for local residents.

With its location along the Atlantic Ocean, Rio is well-known for outdoor activities, ranging from beach activities to hiking along the waterfront. The 2016 Summer Olympics were also held here. Brazil's official language is Portugese, and the currency used is the Brazilian Real (R$); one Brazilian Real equals $0.18 USD.

Location

Job Opportunities

Rio de Janeiro is known for its multinational corporations, or businesses that operate on a global scale. Its manufacturing industry is most abundant. Petroleum products, processed foods, pharmaceuticals, and textiles are the most well-known exports out of Rio de Janeiro. Rio is home to one of Brazil's largest banking and financial centers, with opportunities ranging from financial analysts and planners to investors to risk managers. Rio also has the nation's most active stock market, known as Bolsa da Valores do Brazil. From exporting manufactured goods to working in banking and finance, Rio is a bustling city with economic activity and related jobs.

Cost of Living

Apartments in Rio de Janeiro range between 1,125 R$ and 3,875 R$ ($200 to $700 USD), depending on occupancy and location. For a one-bedroom flat in the city center, prices are around 1,850 R$ ($325 USD). For a three-bedroom apartment in the city center, rent prices are close to 3,875 R$ ($675 to $700 USD).

As for transportation costs, gas is around 24 R$ ($4.25 USD) per gallon; owning a brand-new car can be as low as 85,000 R$ ($15,000 USD). Typical monthly utility bills account for electricity, water, and heating, averaging around 915 R$ ($162 USD). Internet and unlimited data costs average 110 R$ ($19.60 USD) monthly.

Transportation

Rio features both a subway and train system. Most commonly used is the subway system, with three different lines: Green, Orange, and Yellow. The Orange line is most popular with tourists, as there are many attractions featured along this line. All lines travel between Rio's business and residential districts.

The SuperVia, the train line of Rio, is also a transit option. These lines are used for commuting to work, and there are few tourist spots along the line. Other options for transit include local bus lines, which travel between downtown and nearby suburbs; the BRT, a new system as of the 2016 Olympics to travel between city sights and suburbs; and the Metro Integration System, which combines travelling on the Metro with another mode of transportation (for example, BRT or boat) for a lower cost.

Recreation

Rio de Janeiro is located on Copacabana Beach, allowing for endless water activities. These include stand-up paddleboarding, beach sand volleyball, and soccer on the beach. There are individual beach activities as well. One can rent a bike, and the first hour is free to ride. There are defined bike lanes heading along the beaches, making for an easy and relaxing ride.

Rio has its share of activities inland as well. Christ the Redeemer, a world-renowned tourist attraction, provides gorgeous views of the city and surrounding beaches. There is also Sugarloaf, an outdoor climb and hike to give views of the city. This is generally less-crowded, providing for more relaxation and fun outdoor recreation while enjoying city views. In addition, Rio offers many botanical gardens and scenic parks, including its Botanical Gardens and Parque Lage, which consist of long walking trails through tree-covered areas.

For history and museum enthusiasts, Rio offers the Museum of Tomorrow (Museu do Futuro), giving a futuristic look into Rio. This was designed prior to the 2016 Rio Olympics. In all, Rio offers great entertainment and recreation, ranging from soccer and beach activities to more relaxing and historical sights.

Climate

Temperatures in Rio de Janeiro vary greatly between the coastline and more inland. Along the coastline, expect Summer highs to reach the mid 80s (28 to 30 degrees Celsius) and lows to be in the low to mid 70s (22 to 24 degrees Celsius). Winter temperatures are only slightly cooler, with high temperatures around the mid to upper 70s (25 to 26 degrees Celsius). Further inland, expect somewhat cooler temperatures year-round. Precipitation is the heaviest between December and March, ranging from 3 to 5 inches per month; the lowest precipitation months are June through August, with 1 to 2 inches of monthly precipitation.