Source: WTL photograph© on site in Rio de Janeiro.
Comment: Another view showing how glamorous Rio de Janeiro's setting is as seen from Corcovado. As you see, Rio's space is limited much like the physical locations of New York City and San Francisco. Hence, Rio de Janeiro is constantly modernizing rather than preserving an old colonial look.
History: In 1808, Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Portugal. This French invasion caused the Portuguese royal family and entire court to abandon Lisbon and to sail to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Hence, Rio became the capital of Portugal's worldwide empire. In 1822, with the French gone from Portugal, the king of the Portuguese empire returned to Portugal and simultaneously and peacefully granted Brazil its independence under the king's son. Thus, Rio became (independent) Brazil's capital. In 1889, Brazil ended its monarchy and became a republic with Rio as the Republic of Brazil's capital. As mentioned earlier, Brazil moved its capital from Rio to Brasília in 1960.