Botafogo - Brasil

Botafogo (local and standard Portuguese pronunciation: [bɔtaˈfoɡu] and less commonly in other Brazilian Portuguese dialects [botɐˈfoɡu]) is a beachfront neighborhood (bairro) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is a mostly upper middle class and small commerce community, and is located between the hills of Mundo Novo, Dona Marta (which separates it from Laranjeiras) and São João (which separates it from Copacabana).

History

Botafogo was named after João Pereira de Sousa Botafogo, who was responsible for the galleon Botafogo's artillery, so he included the ship's name in his family name. When he went to live in Brazil, the Portuguese Crown granted him the land known today as Botafogo. The name literally means "set it on fire" (a reference to the Botafogo galleon's artillery power).

Characteristics

Botafogo's beach is within Guanabara Bay, sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean by the Urca peninsula and Sugarloaf Mountain. Attractions include the Home of Ruy Barbosa, the Museu do Índio - which explores the culture and history of the major indigenous peoples of Brazil - and the Villa-Lobos Museum. With a high concentration of cafés and cinemas, including several movie theaters that feature arthouse films, Botafogo has a decidedly traditional tone, setting it apart from the nearby beach neighborhoods. It is home to two of the city's largest shopping centers, Botafogo Praia Shopping and RioSul.

Botafogo is the home of Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas, a multi-sport club and one of Brazil's biggest soccer teams.

It is served by one metro station: Botafogo. Panoramic view of Praia de Botafogo (Botafogo Beach) with Pão de Açúcar and Morro da Urca in the background.