Rio de Janeiro has entered in the UN’s list of world heritage sites in recognition of its soaring granite cliffs, urban rainforest and beaches.
The UNESCO status was announced in 2012, but only became official after the Brazilian authorities were given four years to report on their plans for protecting the likes of Flamengo Park, Sugarloaf Mountain, the Corcovado, and the Copacabana beach.
UNESCO highlighted the “extraordinary fusion” of man-made and natural beauty in certifying Rio on the world heritage list.
Rio de Janeiro also known as the Marvellous City, got a big tourism boost during the 2014 football World Cup and this August’s Olympic Games.
