The Brazilian government has
positioned Brazil as a global leader, by offering aid to neighboring
countries, heading United Nations missions, and partnering with
African and South American countries to develop infrastructure and
joint ventures.
Rio de Janeiro is the cultural capital of
Brazil and a major financial, commercial, and transportation center.
After São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro is the Brazilian city with the
second major gross domestic product in the nation, Estimated at
about 150 billion reals per year. The metropolitan region
constitutes the second largest national hub of wealth, and 70% of
Rio de Janeiro State's economic strength.
Benefiting from
being the federal capital of Brazil until 1960, for nearly two
hundred years, Rio evolved into a vibrant administrative, financial,
commercial and cultural center.