Place details
Place nameRio de Janeiro
Other namesRio, São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro, Antarctic France
CountryBrasil
Latitude-22.883
Longitude-43.283
SourceThesaurus of Geographic Names
Overview
Located on coastal plain on Guanabara bay; traditionally, is said to have been charted by the Portuguese in 1502; French and Portuguese contended for settlement here 16th-18th centuries; thrived as shipping port for gold and diamonds in 18th century; today is a major commercial center.