| Rio is divided into a zona norte (northern
zone) and a zona sul (southern zone) by the Serra da Carioca, steep mountains
that are part of the Parque Nacional da Tijuca. Many people live in the favelas
(shanty towns) that huddle along the Serra de Carioca. Much of Rio's maligned
reputation comes from the prostitution, police corruption, and violence that surrounds
the poorer districts. It's not a unique situation, and in Rio's case, these problems
haven't ruined the city's charm. Rio's reputation as a violent city scares us
but we're probably no more at risk here than any other large city. |
