Rio de Janeiro

(-zha-na'ro,) (" River January,") a seaport-city, metropolis of the empire of Brazil, and C. of a p. of the same name, lies on the W. shore of a magnificent bay, 80 m. W. of Cape Frio, in S. Lat. 22° 54', W. Lon. 43° 7' 15". It is renowned for the picturesque beauty of its natural position, being backed by high and densely wooded mountains; while in front the bay stretches out, dotted with islands timbered to the water's edge. R. de J. po e es some fine public buildings, and is, perhaps, the best laid-out city in S. America. Its harbor is one of the finest in the world, and strongly fortified. Rio (as the name is commonly abbreviated into) is the grand commercial emporium of the empire, and carries on an important trade with the U. States and Europe. Pop. 275,000. Rio de la Plata. See LA PLATA. [s. 772]