The geographical development of Rio is marked by an extension out from the historical Center and the development of three surrounding regions: the trade-oriented Northern Zone, the posh and touristy Southern Zone, and the newly developed and modern Western Zone.

The region known as Brazil was inhabited for thousands of years by indigenous populations who by some accounts reached the Americas from Asia, by land across Alaska or by sea along the pacific ocean. These semi-nomadic tribes lived as migrant hunters-gatherers, and never developed written records or monumental architecture, therefore not much is known about their history.

To this day, many places in the Rio de Janeiro area are still named using indigenous words - the famous beach 'Ipanema' is one example, with 'Ipanema' meaning 'bad waters,' most likely in reference to fishing. The very word 'Carioca,' used today to indicate residents of the city of Rio de Janeiro, is derived from the indigenous word 'kari' oca' meaning 'white house' or 'house of the white man.'