12/06/2025
๐ง๐ท Rio de Janeiro: Where History Meets Carnival ๐ญ๐ด
Before the samba beats and beach vibes, Rio was a colonial capital rich in gold, sugarโand drama.
Founded in 1565 by the Portuguese to fight off French invaders, Rio became the gateway to Brazil. By the 1700s, gold from Minas Gerais passed through its port, making it one of the most important cities in South America.
In a wild twist of history, it even became the capital of the Portuguese Empire in 1808, when the royal family fled Napoleon and set up court here. ๐ Yes, Europe ruled from South America.
From colonial stronghold to the birthplace of bossa nova, favela culture, and carnaval, Rio has always been a city of contrastsโwhere breathtaking beauty meets complex history.
