From the peak of the 700-metre (2,300 ft) Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park – the statue of Christ the Redeemer towers high above Rio. With its arms wide open, the statue has guarded the city since 1931. This 38-metre-high statue is Rio de Janeiro’s landmark monument and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

Christ the Redeemer, icon of Rio de Janeiro city, was chosen out of 21 nominated monuments all over the world as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

The prize was really deserved. Christ the Redeemer is the symbol of faith and happiness of carioca people (native Rio de Janeiro people) and it will turn 82 years old in 2013. Since the year 2000, when it gained a new lighting system, the monument has been going through an upgrading process.

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