Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, is mostly known for carnival, golden beaches and the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer. There are many mountains in the vicinity of the city, the most popular of which is the Sugarloaf Mountain (Portuguese: Pão de Açúcar). The mountain is situated on a peninsula that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean and reaches the height of 396 meters above the sea level. The mountain is a monolithic granite block with steep sides and it is impossible to climb without proper equipment and preparation. Luckily, since 1912 tourists may reach the summit taking a cable car, from which they may admire a beautiful view of the bay on which the city is located.
