Cultural+Characteristics



**The people of Rio do Janeiro for are known as //Cariocas//. The Portugess settlers took the name from a south american indian expression. Today through mixing of cultures the //Cariocas// include the people of American indian, European, or African desent. Many have ancestors form more than three groups, the //Cariocas,// like most Brazilians speak Portuguese**//.// ** ﻿ ﻿Most of the people belong to the Roman Catholic church and participate in //Macumba// religious ceremonies. This is a time when the peopole gather to praise their divine beings who are identified as Christian saints and the gods and goddesses of certain African religions. **

** Rio de Janeiro has won fame for their annual festival called Carnival, this event takes place just before lent, the religious season that preceds Easter. Carnival features four days and nights of parades and dancing in the streets. **

** The Rio de Janeiro ranks largest in of the several instyitutions of higher learning. Many visitors view the exhibits of Fine arts and Folklord mesusems. The National Museum is located in a palace that was the home of Brazil's Poruguese royalty during the 1800's. It's houses exhibits on natural history, archaeology, and minerals. Concerts and plays are presented at the Municipial Theater and other auditorium. **