Satellite image of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro
Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the largest cities in Brazil, are shown here in this true-color Aqua MODIS image acquired on July 20, 2003. Located on the southern Atlantic Ocean, the two cities form the economic and cultural centers of Brazil. Rio de Janeiro is the rightmost coastal city, and sits on the western side of the Bay of Guanabara. Sao Paulo is about 300 kilometers to the west, and is set back a little farther from the Atlantic. Both cities are heavily populated, with Sao Paulo being home to the larger population of over 18 million. Farther west down the coast, the city of Curitiba is also visible as a grayish-tan smudge against the green coastal mountains..