Rio de Janeiro (state)

Quick Facts: Who was Rio de Janeiro (state)?

Subject:

Rio de Janeiro (state)

Known for:

A major state in Brazil, known for its rich history and significant economic contribution.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Rio de Janeiro (Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈʁi.u d(ʒi) ʒɐˈne(j)ɾu] ), officially the State of Rio de Janeiro (Portuguese: Estado do Rio de Janeiro), is one of the 27 federative units of Brazil. It has the second largest economy of Brazil, with the largest being that of the state of São Paulo. The state, which has 8.2% of the Brazilian population, is responsible for 9.2% of the Brazilian GDP. The state of Rio de Janeiro is located within the Brazilian geopolitical region classified as the Southeast (assigned by IBGE). Rio de Janeiro shares borders with all the other states in the same Southeast macroregion: Minas Gerais (N and NW), Espírito Santo (NE) and São Paulo (SW).

Career & Major Achievements

It is bounded on the east and south by the South Atlantic Ocean. Rio de Janeiro has an area of 43,653 km2 (16,855 sq mi). Its capital and most populous city is the city of Rio de Janeiro, which was the capital of the Portuguese Colony of Brazil from 1763 to 1815, of the following United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves from 1815 to 1822, and of later independent Brazil as a kingdom and republic from 1822 to 1960. The state is divided into 92 municipalities. The state's 22 largest cities are Rio de Janeiro, São Gonçalo, Duque de Caxias, Nova Iguaçu, Niterói, Campos dos Goytacazes, Belford Roxo, São João de Meriti, Petrópolis, Volta Redonda, Magé, Macaé, Itaboraí, Cabo Frio, Armação dos Búzios, Angra dos Reis, Nova Friburgo, Barra Mansa, Barra do Piraí, Teresópolis, Mesquita and Nilópolis.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Rio de Janeiro is the smallest state by area in the Southeast macroregion and one of the smallest in Brazil. It is, however, the third most populous Brazilian state, with a population of over 16 million people at the 2022 Census (making it the most densely populated state in Brazil), and it has the third longest coastline in the country (after those of the states of Bahia and Maranhão). In the Brazilian flag, the state is represented by Mimosa, the beta star in the Southern Cross (β Cru). Guanabara Bay was first encountered by Europeans on January 1, 1502, when Portuguese explorers Gaspar de Lemos and Gonçalo Coelho arrived on its shores. According to some historians, the name given by the exploration team to the bay was originally Ria de Janeiro ("January Ria").

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1502: 1502 Milestone — Guanabara Bay was first encountered by Europeans on January 1, 1502, when Portuguese explorers Gaspar de Lemos and Gonçalo Coelho arrived on its shores.
2. 1763: 1763 Milestone — Its capital and most populous city is the city of Rio de Janeiro, which was the capital of the Portuguese Colony of Brazil from 1763 to 1815, of the following United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves from 1815 to 1822, and of later independent Brazil as a kingdom and republic from 1822 to 1960.
3. 2022: 2022 Milestone — It is, however, the third most populous Brazilian state, with a population of over 16 million people at the 2022 Census (making it the most densely populated state in Brazil), and it has the third longest coastline in the country (after those of the states of Bahia and Maranhão).

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Rio de Janeiro (state)

True or False: “The initial European encounter with Guanabara Bay occurred on January 1, 1502.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): Portuguese explorers Gaspar de Lemos and Gonçalo Coelho first encountered the bay on that date.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abbé Prévost — Historical peer (Died in 1763) (1763): French novelist, best known for the highly popular romance, Manon Lescaut.
• Adalbert Gyrowetz — Historical peer (Born in 1763) (1763): Czech-Austrian composer known for symphonies and string quartets.
• Ada Lovelace — Historical peer (Born in 1815) (1815): Pioneering mathematician recognized as the first computer programmer.
• Adolph Menzel — Historical peer (Born in 1815) (1815): Pioneering German Realist master, celebrated for his detailed etchings and genre scenes.
• Alexander Mackenzie (politician) — Historical peer (Born in 1822) (1822): Scottish-Canadian stonemason and politician, second Prime Minister of Canada.
• Ali Pasha of Yanina — Historical peer (Died in 1822) (1822): Powerful Albanian ruler who achieved high autonomy in the Ottoman Empire.
• Abdel Fattah al-Burhan — Historical peer (Born in 1960) (1960): Sudanese military officer and leader who assumed control of Sudan in 2019.
• Adam Clayton — Historical peer (Born in 1960) (1960): Irish-English bassist and founding member of the globally renowned rock band U2.
• Aaron Carter — Historical peer (Died in 2022) (2022): American singer and rapper known for teen pop stardom and enduring musical career.
• Alexander Vovin — Historical peer (Died in 2022) (2022): Pioneering Russian-American linguist specializing in East Asian languages, particularly Japanese.

Frequently Asked Questions about Rio de Janeiro (state)