at a glance

Presented by the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, the study Centro do Rio de Janeiro sob uma perspectiva cartográfica: evolução histórico-geográfica, (The Center of Rio de Janeiro from a cartographic perspective: historical-geographical evolution), by Bruna Santos Miceli and Paulo Márcio Leal de Menezes, presents through cartographic documents how, in certain periods, human's have occupied a particular area - The main purpose of this work is to examine the evolution of the central area of Rio de Janeiro through historical and geographical survey-mapping, looking at the current districts of centro, saúde, gamboa, cidade nova, glória, santo cristo and part of são cristóvão.

Following preliminary bibliographical and survey-mapping research, the paper identifies landmarks and preserved historical sites in order to juxtapose historical maps of the area with current maps - Maps from many periods are used, from the seventeenth century until the present day, showing comparative development, the evolution of the local landscape and the degree of change. 

In the final stages, Digital Elevation Models (DEM) are produced of the central area to reveal comparative elements in the evolution of the landscape of the city.