Corcovado is the main landmark in the beautiful Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro and one of the main attractions. If you've seen any photos of the city, then you've likely seen the Corcovado Statue, or Christ the Redeemer, as it is also known. This 98-foot-tall statue of Christ is visible from virtually every vantage point in the area and is largely responsible for making Corcovado Mountain the landmark that it is. While admiring Corcovado Mountain in Rio from the ground is rewarding enough, taking the cable car up the steep slopes to get a closer look at the statue is recommended. The views of the city from the summit are utterly breathtaking.

The Tijuca Forest is where you will find the Corcovado Mountain in Rio. This forest is a national park and can be found on the western side of the city. It's actually within the city limits and is one of the most popular places to go hiking and sightseeing. Corcovado is the park's main attraction and rises to an elevation of 2,329 feet above sea level. The statue that graces it is an Art Deco-style depiction of Jesus and has been mentioned as a candidate for the New Seven Wonders of the World. It was built to mark the 100-year anniversary of Brazil's independence, which occurred in 1922. Due to funding issues, however, it wasn't fully completed and opened until 1931. At the base of the statue is an observation deck that allows visitors to enjoy the stunning view from Corcovado Mountain. Included in the view are the city, the bay, and the other picturesque mountains that help to make Rio the immaculate destination that it is. Among the mountains is Sugarloaf Mountain, which is the city's other main mountain attraction.

Should you wish to venture up to the summit of Corcovado, there are two options. You can either drive or take a bus up the narrow access road or ride the railway. Taking the train is recommended, even if you might have to wait in line for a few hours. As you climb up Corcovado Mountain in Rio on the train, you'll pass some shacks that are set on the hillside, not to mention scores of trees. Once you get to the top, a refreshment stand and a souvenir stand await. When you're ready to head up to the base of the Corcovado Statue, escalators are in place to help you get there. You can also take an elevator or climb the 223 steps up to the observation deck if you prefer. The train ride up the steep slopes of Corcovado isn't exactly cheap, but thanks to the stunning views, the price is more than reasonable. It's cheaper to take one of the bus tours, but there's a certain charm to taking the railway.

Rio de Janeiro Map

More than 300,000 people visit the Corcovado observation deck on an annual basis, and it's not hard to understand why. In addition to the city, the bay, and Sugarloaf Mountain, some of the things that you can see from the summit include the Maracana Stadium and the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. Sunny days are best if you want to enjoy some time on the observation deck. The view from Corcovado Mountain can be obscured by fog on cloudy days.

The Tijuca Forest, it should be noted, covers more than 8,000 acres. That makes it the world's largest urban forest. Other attractions of interest can be found in the Tijuca Forest, as can a variety of plant and animal species. The attractions include the beautiful Cascatinha Waterfall and the Mayrink Chapel. The latter boasts some interesting murals that were painted by artist Candido Portinari, who is one of the most famous Brazilian painters of all time. Other Candido works, should you be interested, are on display at the Museu Nacional de Belas Artes in Rio de Janeiro and at a collection of museums in Sao Paulo.