Rio de Janeiro ("River of January") is the second largest city in Brazil and South America, and the second largest metropolitan area in South America. It is the state capital of Rio de Janeiro. The city was the capital of Brazil for nearly two centuries, from 1763 to 1822, during the Portuguese colonial era, and from 1822 to 1960 as an independent nation after the independence of Brazil. It is also the former capital of the Portuguese Empire (1808-1821). Commonly known as just Rio, the city is also nicknamed "Cidade Maravilhosa", or "Marvelous City".
Rio de Janeiro is famous for its natural settings, its Carnival celebrations, samba and other music, and hotel-lined tourist beaches, such as Copacabana and Ipanema. Some of the most famous landmarks in addition to the beaches include the giant statue of Christ, known as Christ the Redeemer ('Cristo Redentor') atop Corcovado mountain, named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World; Sugarloaf mountain (Pão de Açúcar) with its cable car; the Sambódromo, a giant permanent parade stand used during Carnival and Maracanã, one of the world's largest football stadiums.
The city also boasts the largest and second largest urban forests in the world: Floresta da Tijuca, or "Tijuca Forest" and the forest in Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca, or White Stone State Park. Galeão - Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport connects Rio de Janeiro with many Brazilian cities and also operates several international flights.
The IWSSIP 2010 will be held at Novo Mundo Hotel (Praia do Flamengo, 20, Flamengo) . This very traditional hotel is located in an exclusive area on Flamengo Beach, right next to Catete Palace, is a part of the city’s history itself, as well as a part of Carioca’s life. With a privileged location, from the Novo Mundo Hotel you can have a glimpse of the widely renowned postcard view from Rio de Janeiro: the Sugar Loaf next to the Guanabara Bay. Within just a few minutes, you have access to many of the “Marvelous City’s” main tourist attractions, such as the Christ Redeemer’s Statue at the Corcovado Mountain and the Maracanã Stadium. Close to the Santos Dumont airport and a block away from the subway station, going to and from the Hotel is fast and safe: in only 5 minutes you reach Downtown, in less than 10 minutes you can reach Copacabana and a bit further you reach Ipanema, the finest beaches in the city.