hundreds of favelas, each with its own history, cultre and identity, accommodate over 20% of the city's population. in the past favelas have been strict no-go zones for visitors due to the lack of safety

in stark contrast to the rio the janeiro experienced by most visitors, they are often illegally constructed with a lack of infrastrutur -  poor electricity and water supply, as well as limited, if any, public trasportation and the added threat of violence and crime, make for extremely challenging living conditions.