A city with a view: How Rio is gearing up for Olympics guests
Updated On May 04, 2016 07:35 PM IST
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Updated on May 04, 2016 07:35 PM IST
Hostels in a few of Rio’s more than 1,000 slums will serve as a cheap housing alternative for the more adventurous among the estimated 500,000 foreign tourists expected to arrive for the Olympics in August. A woman sits on a terrace at Tiki hostel in Cantagalo favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 16, 2016. (REUTERS)
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Updated on May 04, 2016 07:35 PM IST
The establishments also open up the rich culture of the city’s shantytowns for travellers, giving them a glimpse into once ‘no-go’ areas where about one-fifth of Rio’s population lives. (REUTERS)
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Updated on May 04, 2016 07:35 PM IST
Favelas are slums in Brazil, which first appeared in the late 19th century and were built by Brazilian soldiers who had nowhere to live. Solange, a worker in the city’s Pousada Favelinha hostel, returns to the hostel. (REUTERS)
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Updated on May 04, 2016 07:35 PM IST
Some of the first settlements were where former slaves with no land or work stayed. Over time, former black slaves moved in. (REUTERS)
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Updated on May 04, 2016 07:35 PM IST
A guest relaxes with the The Sugar Loaf mountain in the background at Pousada Favelinha (Little favela) hostel. (REUTERS)
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Updated on May 04, 2016 07:35 PM IST
Most modern favelas appeared post 1970s when Brazil witnessed a huge rural exodus. A man is reflected in a mirror in a room at Tiki hostel in Cantagalo favela. (REUTERS)
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Updated on May 04, 2016 07:35 PM IST
As per a 2011 census, in 2010, about 6 per cent of Brazil’s population lived in favelas. (REUTERS)
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Updated on May 04, 2016 07:35 PM IST
While many Rio favelas are still ruled by drug traffickers or by organized crime groups called milicias (militias), all favelas in Rio’s South Zone and some favelas in the North Zone are now managed by the country’s Pacifying Police Units. (REUTERS)
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Updated on May 04, 2016 07:35 PM IST
A worker at Pousada Favelinha hostel prepares a room. (REUTERS)
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Updated on May 04, 2016 07:35 PM IST
Favelas are popular for their culture and way of life with music playing an important role. Popular types of music include funk, hip-hop and Samba. (REUTERS)
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Updated on May 04, 2016 07:35 PM IST
Houses are seen through a window of Tiki hostel in Cantagalo favela. (REUTERS)
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Updated on May 04, 2016 07:35 PM IST