Copacabana Beach, Beach area in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Copacabana Beach is a coastal stretch in Rio de Janeiro with a four-kilometer white sand shore and a promenade paved with black and white Portuguese stones in a wave pattern. The beach extends from Forte de Copacabana to the start of Ipanema and offers volleyball courts alongside public showers.
The area shifted from a fishing village to a busy neighborhood in the late 19th century after Tunel Velho connected it to central Rio. Avenida Atlantica developed in the following decades, bringing hotels and residential buildings along the shore.
The numbered sections along the shore attract different visitors, from football players to families with children. Each zone has its own atmosphere, and locals know the unwritten rules about where different groups gather.
Three metro stations provide access from the rest of the city, and kiosks along the promenade rent umbrellas and beach chairs. Early morning hours work well for a walk, while afternoons draw more visitors and vendors.
On New Year's Eve, around 2 million people come together to watch fireworks and attend concerts, making it one of the largest gatherings worldwide. Many visitors wear white clothing and throw flowers into the sea following local tradition.
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