If Rio de Janeiro were a story, today's image would be one of its most iconic chapters. It captures the essence of a metropolis founded on 1 March 1565 to protect Guanabara Bay and control the trade of brazilwood. Since then, it has evolved from a military settlement into a cultural centre, from a strategic port into a national symbol. The city has faced invasions, fires and major political shifts, yet has repeatedly turned challenges into urban expression. Today, the capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro is among the most recognisable cityscapes in the world.

From its height of 396 metres, Sugarloaf Mountain watches over a city that never stops reinventing itself. Its cable car, one of the earliest in the world, has crossed the air since 1912, showing that Rio is more than beaches and postcard views. It is also a place of engineering skill in steel and concrete, with history etched into the curves of its hills. To experience Rio is to fall for its rhythm, shaped by the meeting of mountains and sea.