Rio de Janeiro is on of Brazil’s 26 states, and stretches along the underside of the country along the Atlantic Ocean. The capital is also called Rio de Janeiro, site of one of the world’s favorite tourist spots. You might recognize Rio de Janeiro , from any direction, as long as you can see the famous Cristo Redentor statue that guards the city from atop Corcovado Mountain. In addition, Rio has some of the world’s most festive carnivals and celebrations, as well as a world-famous nightlife.