the sambódromo is a rectangular stadium divided in 13 sections along the two sides - with sector 9  being the 'touristic sector', and all sectors in the center having the best views.

all parades enter at the side of the sambódromo near sector 1, and march along the runway in the center of the stadium in the direction of the arch-shaped structure called apoteose ( apotheosis) after sector 13.

published by the journal globo, here is a simplified map showing the sambódromo in relation to the streets around it.