Overview of the economy
Rio is the second most important industrial area in all of Brazil. There is a new technology aspect of the economy along with strong metallurgy, engineering, and printing and publishing industries. Apparel, footwear, textile, and nonmetallic products are also a major contributor to the economy. A part of the economy, construction, is an aspect of the economy that is more important for the number of jobs and employment it allows for. Oil and natural gas fields off the northern coast of Rio helps to develop the manufacturing activities seen within Rio. Once Rio became the capital many headquarters and corporations were relocated there. After the transfer of the capital, these headquarters and corporations mostly remained in Rio. It is an important financial center with one of the highest GDP per capita in all of Brazil. One of the first exports was sugar that was produced in the mouth of the bay using slave labor when Rio was relocated in 1567. Rio went through lots of economic growth in the seventeenth century due to mining. Portuguese ships also often came through exporting gold and diamonds and receiving fabrics and slaves in the port. The end of Brazil's colonial status is marked by the transfer of the Portuguese court to Rio in 1808. The port opening allowed for Brazil to freely export cotton, sugar, coffee, and animal hides.
Coffe & the PortDuring the second half of the 19th century, steam power in maritime transport helped to make freight cheaper at the same time as an assured safer and quicker movement of merchandise. Because of coffee, Brazil was integrated with the world market. It has been the main exporter since the 1830's and the port of Rio marks the point of convergence for coffee into the entire world and country.Because of the decline in coffee production, Rio lost export leadership to Santos. During this time, a new ambitious policy of urban reform was implemented. This sparked transformations, majorly in the central zone. The reform was based on the construction of the new port. In 1904, the initiation of the construction consisted of landfill as wide as a chunk of the coastline. A new large pier was built which allowed for ships to now be able to dock directly abasing the wharf. The port renovations were done in 1911 when 18 international and 96 external warehouses and 90 cranes started to function. The second section of the new dock was added in the 1920s and in the 1980s there was a modernization of port activities.
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Slaves working on a coffee farm in Rio de Janeiro.
Marc Ferrez."Slaves in a coffe farm."Wikimedia Commons.Web |
Tourism
Tourism is a major economic driver for the city of Rio. It generates lots of income for the city. There are many tourist attractions that even the locals tend to go to. Some of the attractions are historical landmarks as well as tourist spots. Below is the list of the most well known and commonly visited landmarks and tourists attractions.
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The Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car Station.
Paul Mannix."The Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car Station."Flickr.Web |