Rio de Janeiro's Importance % Growth

• Rio de Janeiro is a megacity of 19 million people in the south-east of Brazil in South America. It is Brazil second most populous city and borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east

  
• Rio's Regional Important (in S.E. Brazil)

  • Has 14 million inhabitants
  • 56% of Brazil's GDP is generated within 500km of the city
• Rio's National Importance (in Brazil)

  • Home to the Maracana (Brazil's largest stadium)
  • Until 1960, it was the capital of Brazil (now its Brasilia)
  • 75% of the city's waste is treated vs. 39% nationally
  • Home to the Petrobras and CBPP (Brazil's largest oil and mining companies)
  • The cultural capital of Brazil with over 50 museums
• Rio's International Importance (around the world)

  • Annual carnival is one of the world's biggest music and dance celebrations
  • Home to Rochina (S. America's largest slum)
  • 3 airports and 5 ports help export coffee and sugar
  • Statue of Christ the Redeemer is one of the Wonders of the World
  • One of the Southern Hemisphere's most visited cities due to Ipanema Beach
  • Chemicals, pharmaceuticals, clothing and furniture are made and exported
  • Portuguese (official language) attracts Portuguese migrants
  • Hosted 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games
• Rio de Janeiro's birth rate is increasing because many young people are moving to the city, finding partners and having children. Brazil is a largely Catholic country meaning people choose not to use contraception ans so have larger families
• Rio de Janeiro's death rate is decreasing because better quality healthcare in Rio means that diseases that might kill you in a rural, isolated village can be treated
• People are pushed away from rural Brazil because often droughts, which make sourcing reliable water supplies difficult, and the mechanisation of farming has left families with no work opportunities
• People are pulled towards Rio de Janeiro because of better education, employment opportunities and improved living conditions. The government of Rio de Janeiro has invested lots of money to attract businesses and migrants building factories, sea ports and oil refineries. Rio's banking and financial services attract skilled workers from the USA and UK and migrants have come from South Korea and China seeking new business opportunities