Ipanema Beach
On the outskirts of one of the prestigious areas of Rio de Janeiro – Ipanema – a sea beach with the same name spread. Its length is 3 km. The beach is considered one of the best in Rio. The sea water of the Atlantic Ocean to the coast of the beach flows through the lagoon, passing through the Zhardim de Alah canal dug in 1920. Cape Arpoador shares the areas of Ipanem and Leblon. A colorful sidewalk lined with mosaics stretched along the beach. In the western part, the beach borders on the beach of Leblon.
The name of the beach is not too harmonious for Brazilians and in translation from the Indian dialect means « bad water ». But this is not related to the quality of water by the beach. In the XIX century. the territory of the district belonged to the businessman Baron Jose Antonio Moreira Filho. « Ipanema » was called the river in his homeland, from where the name moved to the lands of the baron in Rio. The water on Ipanema Beach is cleaner than on Copacaban – is also one of the best beaches. Ipanema's waters are calmer. Stronger than the waves at the cape, but that is what attracts experienced surfers.
Beach history
At the beginning of the last century, the Ipanema region was little built up, unlike Copacabana. Therefore, the beach appeared later, when wealthy Brazilians began to settle in Ipanem. Now Ipanema beach is considered more prestigious, and the atmosphere on it is more sophisticated, because mainly middle-class representatives and workers from the suburban area rest in Copacaban. Ipanema has become more popular since the 60s of the last century, when there was a military dictatorship in Brazil. Opposition activists, artists and musicians gathered on the beach and in the bars closest to it.
The wave of popularity of the beach and the area began to grow after the release of the song « The Girl from Ipanema », which became known to the whole world. In honor of the song, they even named the park located at the cape and the restaurant – « Garota di Ipanema ». Today, the Ipanema region – is elite, and according to its prestige it is second only to Leblon. Elite hotels, expensive restaurants and shops have opened in it, and mainly people with high incomes live.
On Sundays, roads to the beach are blocked to secure roller skateboards, skateboards and bicycles. Informal sectors gradually formed on the beach, in which people gather, united by some interest or subculture. Beach rescuers divided the beach into posts that roughly coincide with informal areas. For example, hipsters and a local bohemian gather at post 9. Smoking weed, they listen to music or talk about politics. Post 8 – territory of gays that do not hide their orientation. Post 7 – part of the beach by Cape Arpoador, where surfers gather.
An interesting fact – until the end of the 90s of the last century, tourists almost did not appear at the cape due to large waves.
Ipanem beach is becoming more and more popular, not only because of calmer water and relative safety, but also because of the unique beauty of the sunsets that you can watch from the beach. The number of tourists visiting Ipanem is increasing every year.
