Is Rio the capital of Brazil? Rio de Janeiro is one of the most incredible travel destinations here in Brazil. For me, as a Brazilian, Rio you’ll always be on the top of the list of must-visit destinations around here. It’s not a secret that the city is amazing (with some well-known problems), but you can be surprised by one fact about the “Cidade Maravilhosa” (Wonder City, as it’s called here).
Rio de Janeiro is not the capital of Brazil, but it was. In the period between 1763 and 1960, Rio was the Brazilian capital but was replaced by Brasília. Brasília is the third capital in the history of the country, the first was Salvador (1549-1763) and the second was Rio de Janeiro (1763-1960).
Rio is an amazing city but is not the capital of Brazil. If you thought it was, it’s an honest mistake, considering that Rio de Janeiro is the most famous Brazilian city and once the country’s capital. To know more about it, read on.
The Capital of Brazil Is NOT Rio
Brazil has had three different capitals in its history, from three different states and with a touch in common: all three are beautiful cities! The first of these was the city of Salvador, founded in 1549 by the first governor of Brazil, Tomé de Souza. Salvador, the capital of the state of Bahia in northeastern Brazil, is known for its Portuguese colonial architecture, Afro-Brazilian culture, and tropical coastline, Brazil’s capital for over 200 years, both the political and economical center of the country at that time.
In 1763, the capital of Brazil was transferred from Salvador to the famous city of Rio de Janeiro (so if you thought that Rio was our capital, you’re not totally wrong). During this period, Brazil was undergoing many changes and important political reforms, inspired by the ideas of the Age of Enlightenment. Seeking to bring the Portuguese colonial administration as close as possible to the main source of wealth at the time, the mining region of Minas Gerais, Pombal, the politician, determined that Rio de Janeiro would become the new capital of Brazil.
Two centuries later, in 1960, our capital was transferred from Rio de Janeiro to the city of Brasília, which is the capital of Brazil until today. The president at that time, Juscelino Kubitschek, seeking to transfer the capital of Brazil to a place far from the great centers of popular pressure, turned the Midwest into the main stage for political decisions. Brasília is known as the “Capital of Hope” because it was born at a time when Brazil was confident in its development and the government of Kubitschek was betting on building a prosperous nation.
| City | State | Period As The Capital of Brazil |
| Salvador | Bahia | (1549-1763) |
| Rio de Janeiro | Rio de Janeiro | (1763-1960) |
| Brasília | Distrito Federal | (1960 – Today) |
Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Brasília is not just the Brazilian capital, is also a city full of culture and a very trendy place. In 1987 the city received one of its greatest prizes: the city was considered a Cultural Heritage of Humanity. And in my opinion, it was well deserved. The modern architectural lines designed by Oscar Niemeyer and the bold urbanization plans designed by Lúcio Costa make Brasília an amazing city in terms of construction and a full plate for those who want to visit a modern architectural paradise in a planned and welcoming city.
Music is also a cultural trend in Brasília, as the city is the birthplace of some of the most iconic rock bands in Brazilian history (my favorite is Legião Urbana). Rap and rock are strong brands in the culture of Brasilia and cinema also play an important role in the city’s cultural agenda. The Brasília Film Festival takes place annually at Cine Brasília and is very important for the film industry of the country. To learn more about the capital of Brazil, check this great article: What is Brazil Capital? It’s Not Rio or São Paulo.
Rio de Janeiro Is The Capital Of Which Country?
Rio de Janeiro is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and is located in Brazil. Due to its paradisiacal landscapes and great cultural and gastronomic variety, Rio is known as the “Marvelous City” (Wonder City). Furthermore, there is great doubt about the fact that Rio de Janeiro is or is not the capital of Brazil.
Rio de Janeiro is not the capital of a country, but the capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil. What happens is that Rio is based in a state with the same name, like New York City, in New York State. Despite being the most famous Brazilian city, the capital of Brazil is Brasília, not Rio.
Does Brazil Have 2 Capitals?
Brazil is a gigantic country (continental dimensions), full of paradisiac places, excellent cuisine, and a very rich culture. Still, many people have basic doubts about the country, such as whether Brazil has one or two capitals.
Brazil has only one capital, the city of Brasília, located in the Federal District. But during its history, Brazil has had 3 different capitals: the first was Salvador (1549-1763), the second was Rio de Janeiro (1763-1960) and the third and last one is Brasília, the Brazilian capital since 1960.
What Is The Capital Of Brazil Today?
Brazil is a very large country and during its history it has had 3 different capitals, beautiful cities with different characteristics and a lot of cultural wealth. Because of this, many people have doubts about which is the current capital of Brazil (a detail, it is not Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo).
Brasília is the capital of Brazil, but it’s not the first. The city is the third capital in the history of Brazil, the first was Salvador (1549-1763) and the second was Rio de Janeiro (1763-1960). Brasília is located in the Federal District and is considered a Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
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