the favelas of rio de janeiro have gained international fame in past years, due to their representation in global news and popular culture such as movies, literature and music.

the term favela usually refers to a neighborhood, characterized by low socio-economic status, often detached from mainstream society and governed by different rules and systems.  historically, a limited  government involvement and financial support has lead to a fragmented infrastructure, high crime rates and overall problematic living conditions.

dictionaries commonly translate the word favela into 'slum,' 'ghetto,' or 'shantytown' - however, such a translation fails to acknowledge the rich cultural heritage that emerges out of these unique  communities.

the instituto brasileiro de geografia e estatística (ibge - brazilian institute of geography and statistics) provides a more accurate definition on this page.