Coordinates: 22°59′1.75″S 43°12′16.30″W / 22.9838194°S 43.204528°W
Ipanema is a neighborhood located on the southern region of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between Leblon and Arpoador. The beach at Ipanema became widely known by the song "The Girl from Ipanema" ("Garota de Ipanema"), written by Antonio Carlos Jobim.
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History
Most of the land that Ipanema consists of today once belonged to José Antonio Moreira Filho, Baron of Ipanema. The word "Ipanema" comes from the old Tupi language, meaning "bad water". In this case, it means bad for fishing, since the waves die too close to the sand, pushing fish away.
Ipanema gained fame with the start of the bossa nova sound, when its residents Antônio Carlos Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes created their ode to their neighborhood, "Girl from Ipanema." The song was written in 1962, with music by Jobim and Portuguese lyrics by de Moraes with English lyrics written later by Norman Gimbel.
Character
Ipanema is adjacent to Copacabana beach, but it is distinct from its neighbor. It is relatively easy to navigate because the streets are aligned in a grid. Private infrastructure has created world-class restaurants, shops, and cafes. Ipanema is one of the most expensive places to live in Rio. At the forefront of the beach culture are the many surfers and sun worshippers who socialize daily at the beach. Every Sunday, the roadway closest to the beach is closed to motor vehicles and local residents and tourists use the opportunity to ride bikes, roller skate, skateboard, and walk along the ocean.
Ipanema has played its own role in Rio's culture since its beginning. It has universities, art galleries, theaters and cafes.
Ipanema holds its own street parade during Carnival festivities, separate from Rio de Janeiro's. Banda de Ipanema attracts up to 15,000 people to the streets of Ipanema for Carnival.
Beach
It is famously known for its elegance and social qualities. Two mountains called the "Dois Irmãos" (Two Brothers) rise at the western end of the beach. The beach is divided into segments by marks known as "postos" (lifeguard towers). Beer is sold everywhere on the beach along with the traditional cachaça. There are always circles of people playing football, volleyball, and footvolley, a combination sport of volleyball and football originated in Brazil.
In the winter the surf can reach 9 feet. The water quality varies with days of light-blue water to a more murky green after heavy rains. Constant swells keep the water clean. The often treacherous beach break regularly forms barrels.
One interesting thing about Ipanema's beach is that there is an area called "the gay beach," situated near Rua Farme de Amoedo; which is well-known for being a gay-friendly area, with the rainbow flag floating in the air.
Just west of this colorful section and towards Leblon is another popular stretch of sand known as Posto Nove (aptly named after the 9th lifeguard tower) where young and often beautiful carioca men and women hipsters congregate.
The Travel Channel listed Ipanema Beach as the sexiest beach in the world.
Posto 9
This is one of the most exciting points of this beach. Since the 60's when Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes immortalized Ipanema, the place is the point of encounter of celebrities, soccer players, artists, and models.
Safety
Ipanema is generally regarded as one of the safest districts in Zona Sul. It is a mostly middle to upper middle class neighborhood being the second most affluent neighborhood in Rio after Leblon, which has communities of large residential homes. As such, it is usually patrolled by more police than other areas of the city.
View of Ipanema
 Ipanema from airplane (photo 2006). |
 Ipanema beach (photo 2006). |
 Sunset on Ipanema beach (photo 2006). |
 Ipanema beach(photo 2006). |
 Sunset on Ipanema beach(photo 2006). |
 Ipanema beach at night (photo 2006). |
 Ipanema beach in the afternoon (date 2009-04) |
External links
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