Rio de Janeiro in Brazil is home to the world's largest urban rain forest. Woven among the city's bustling neighborhoods are soaring tree canopies, waterfalls, and miles of hiking trails. RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — It’s that time of year in Rio de Janeiro: Carnival!

Understanding the Context

Carnival in the Brazilian city has two sides: the street parties, known as blocos, and the parades at the legendary Sambadrome ... AOL: I'm a Rio de Janeiro Local—and This Is My Ultimate Guide to the Brazilian City I'm a Rio de Janeiro Local—and This Is My Ultimate Guide to the Brazilian City NPR: Exploring the green side of Rio de Janeiro: a vast urban rain forest Exploring the green side of Rio de Janeiro: a vast urban rain forest Yahoo: AP PHOTOS: In Rio and beyond, Carnival brings euphoria and release to Brazilians AP PHOTOS: In Rio and beyond, Carnival brings euphoria and release to Brazilians A busy day on Rio's Ipanema beach. Pop culture is filled with images of Rio de Janeiro, and while the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City) certainly lives up to its name, movies and song lyrics rarely ... Women's Wear Daily on MSN: Rio Fashion Week: Boosting Brazilian culture, tourism, and fashion Running until Saturday, Rio Fashion Week aims to drive tourism growth and global visibility for Brazilian fashion.

Key Insights

TravelPulse: A Golden Age for Rio de Janeiro: Finding the City’s 'Saudade' Soul Can a destination’s golden age be recaptured by experiencing remnants of its romantic past? Are there places where nostalgia’s echo enhances a sense of place? Rio de Janeiro offers a teasing journey ... A Golden Age for Rio de Janeiro: Finding the City’s 'Saudade' Soul Militariy police officers patrol during "Operation Containment" in Rio de Janeiro's Complexo da Penha on October 28. - Mauro Pimentel/AFP/Getty Images Armored vehicles rumbling through narrow alleys.

Final Thoughts