Rio de Janeiro Declared UNESCO World Heritage Site

Rio de Janeiro in Brazil has become the first city to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Urban Cultural Landscape category. Sites listed in the category included rural areas, traditional agricultural systems, historic gardens and places of religious significance, as of now.

"It is undeniable that this is a great time for Rio de Janeiro and Brazilian tourism as a whole," The Chairman of The Brazilian Tourist Board, Flávio Dino said. "The city is one of the venues of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, it will be hosting the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games and has just organized the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. This decision by UNESCO recognizes Rio de Janeiro as a destination of unique beauty and we now expect even more visitors to be charmed by the city."

Brazil already has 18 UNESCO recognised heritage sites.

The cultural sites include:

• The Architectural and Urban Ensemble of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais (1980);
• Historic Centre of Olinda, Pernambuco (1982);
• Ruins of São Miguel das Missões, Rio Grande do Sul (1983);
• Shrine of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos in Congonhas, Minas (1985);
• Historic Centre of Salvador, Bahia (1985);
• Urban Ensemble of Brasília, Federal District (1987);
• Historic Centre of São Luís, Maranhão (1997);
• Historic Centre of Diamantina, Minas (1999);
• Historic Centre of Goiás, Goiás (2001) and São Francisco Square in São Cristóvão, Sergipe (2010).

Rio de Janeiro is also recognized for the artistic inspiration it has provided to musicians, landscapers, urbanists, architects.