• the local currency is called real, roughly exchanged at 2 us dollars.
• the touristy areas near the beaches are copacabana and ipanema.
• rio's culture is happy and laid back, with things moving at their own pace.
• lapa is the bohemian neighborhood popular for week-end nights out.
• carnival happens once a year and the city goes wild for one week.
• the most popular music styles in rio are pagode, samba, bossa nova, and choro.
• the statue of cristo redentor (christ the redeemer) is the icon of rio de janeiro.