On 1 January 1502, the Portuguese explorer Gaspar de Lemos brought his ship into a bay on the Brazilian coast, which is now called Guanabara Bay. Mistakenly confusing the bay with the mouth of a river, he named it Rio de Janeiro - literally translated as the January River.

The city of Rio de Janeiro itself was founded on 1 March 1565 by Estacio de Sa, and was the seat of Brazilian politics from 1764 until 1960, when it was replaced by Brasilia. Nonetheless, Rio remains Brazil's most popular tourist destination and cultural hotspot, constantly setting new trends for the rest of the country to follow.

As well as its incomparable natural beauty, Rio's rich history and its inhabitants' contagious joie de vivre have all contributed to making the city known and loved across the globe. The highlights of the Rio calendar include the New Year's Eve celebrations and world-famous Carnival. This bustling metropolis, located between a tropical forest and a series of magnificent beaches, is an ideal base for exploring either, while the Cidade Maravilhosa has everything fans of modern urban life could wish for.

Rio de Janeiro is without doubt a city packed with contrasts: its striking colonial architecture recalling a bygone era while its imposing modern buildings represent a bright future. Perhaps the two most iconic sights are the Sugarloaf Mountain and the statue of Christ the Redeemer, which sits atop the Corcovado Mountain, these images winging their way around the world on the front of millions of postcards.

And thanks to Rio's temperate climate, which varies little from season to season, its charms can be enjoyed in full throughout the year. Entertainment can be found in every corner of this cosmopolitan city including exhibitions, dance shows, concerts and all kinds of sporting events.

Those born in Rio de Janeiro are known as Cariocas, and include world-renowned footballers Jairzinho, Zico, Ronaldo and Romario, to name but a few. This sparkling production line of talent should come as no surprise for a city boasting the mythical Maracana stadium, and where four of Brazil's biggest clubs - Flamengo, Vasco Da Gama, Fluminense and Botafogo - can be found.

Everyday life revolves around the city's many beaches, with the Copacabana the most famous. This symbolic expanse of sand, stretching for 4.5km, backs onto one of the most densely populated districts in the world. And once the sun has set on the Copacabana, the streets of Rio de Janeiro come alive to offer a night out sure to live long in the memory.