at a glance

the morro da babilônia (normally called babilônia) is a small favela in the leme neighborhood, in rio's zona sul - home to fewer than 6000 residents, this favela is considered calm and safe, and it is just next to the favela chapéu mangueira.

built on a steep hill separating copacabana from botafogo, this area was pacified by the upp (polícia pacificadora) in 2008.

previously, this area was controlled by the drug gangs of the terceiro comando (third command), reportedly ruling by force and monopolizing cooking-gas tanks and imposing rules on all the residents.