at a glance

from the end of the 19th century onward the region would be mostly associated with the large mansions of the rich citizens who chose to live amidst the peaceful green landscapes, far from the chaos of the more urbanized areas. 

more recently some of the wealthier inhabints have been migrating to the expanding neighborhoods in the coastal strip. this phenomenon is also associated with the development of favelas in some areas of the alto, which further motivated the move of wealthy residents into other areas of the city.

at the beginning of the 21st century efforts were taken in order to stop the growth of these unstructured and sometimes illegal settlements - in spite of this, the region remains one of the most calm and enjoyable in rio de janeiro.