rio de janeiro's favelas are among the most unique and fascinating aspects of the city - attracting the interest of people world-wide.

hundreds of these communities are spread throughout the city, and while many have different roots and origins all have something in common - recent studies have concluded that living conditions in some of Rio de Janeiro's favelas have increased substantially, across the board.

The latest Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística - ibge's census found that in some situations, health, income, and education standards were better in what are perceived to be the poorest and least developed residential areas of the country.

Success stories, mapping people living in favelas who have worked their way up from almost nothing, are becoming more and more common as hard-up Brazilians look to change their lives for the better.