Rio de Janeiro

Quick Facts: Who was Rio de Janeiro?

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Rio de Janeiro

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Major Brazilian metropolis, historically significant as the seat of Portuguese and Brazilian royalty.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Rio de Janeiro, also known simply as Rio, is the capital and largest city of the state of Rio de Janeiro. It is the second-largest city in Brazil after São Paulo, and the largest by international tourists. It has a population of 6 million in the city proper, and 13 million people in its metropolitan area as of 2025. It is also the sixth-most-populous city in the Americas. Founded in 1565, the city was initially the seat of the Captaincy of Rio de Janeiro, a domain of the Portuguese Empire.

Career & Major Achievements

In 1763, it became the capital of the State of Brazil. In 1808, when the Portuguese Royal Court moved to Brazil, Rio de Janeiro became the seat of the court of Queen Maria I of Portugal. Under the leadership of her son, Prince Regent John of Braganza, Maria raised Brazil to the dignity of a kingdom within the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and Algarves. Rio remained as the capital of the pluricontinental monarchy until 1822, when the Brazilian War of Independence began. This is the only instance in modern history that the capital of a colonizing country officially shifted to a city in one of its colonies.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Rio de Janeiro subsequently served as the capital of the Empire of Brazil until 1889, and then the capital of republican Brazil until 1960, when the capital was moved to Brasília. Rio de Janeiro has the second largest municipal GDP in the country, and 30th-largest in the world as of 2008, estimated at R$343 billion. It is home to the headquarters of major Brazilian oil, mining, and telecommunications companies, including two of the country's largest corporations, Petrobras and Vale, and Latin America's largest telemedia conglomerate, Grupo Globo. The home of many universities and institutes, it is the second-largest center of research and development in Brazil, accounting for 17 percent of national scientific output according to 2005 data. Despite the perception of a high crime rate, the city actually has a lower incidence of crime than most state capitals in Brazil.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1565: 1565 Milestone — Founded in 1565, the city was initially the seat of the Captaincy of Rio de Janeiro, a domain of the Portuguese Empire.
2. 1763: 1763 Milestone — In 1763, it became the capital of the State of Brazil.
3. 1808: 1808 Milestone — In 1808, when the Portuguese Royal Court moved to Brazil, Rio de Janeiro became the seat of the court of Queen Maria I of Portugal.
4. 1822: 1822 Milestone — Rio remained as the capital of the pluricontinental monarchy until 1822, when the Brazilian War of Independence began.
5. 1889: 1889 Milestone — Rio de Janeiro subsequently served as the capital of the Empire of Brazil until 1889, and then the capital of republican Brazil until 1960, when the capital was moved to Brasília.
6. 2005: 2005 Milestone — The home of many universities and institutes, it is the second-largest center of research and development in Brazil, accounting for 17 percent of national scientific output according to 2005 data.
7. 2008: 2008 Milestone — Rio de Janeiro has the second largest municipal GDP in the country, and 30th-largest in the world as of 2008, estimated at R$343 billion.
8. 2025: 2025 Milestone — It has a population of 6 million in the city proper, and 13 million people in its metropolitan area as of 2025.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Rio de Janeiro

True or False: “The city's initial founding date was 1565, making it older than the establishment of São Paulo.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While founded in 1565, the region was inhabited by various indigenous peoples like the Tupi and Puri long before European colonization.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Rio de Janeiro