19 breathtaking photos of Rio from above

Ricardo Moraes/Reuters

With nearly 3 million international tourists visiting every year, the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South America.

And despite recent coverage of Olympic sized-troubles, Rio de Janeiro is still known the world over for its beautiful beaches, breathtaking scenery, and raucous Carnival celebration. Now, with the world watching, Rio de Janeiro is hosting the 2016 Olympic Games and is the first South American city to do so.

Catch a glimpse of this magnificent city and its famous landmarks in the aerial photos below.

The city is nestled on the mountainous shores of Guanabara Bay on the Atlantic Ocean. The entrance of the bay is guarded by the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain.

Over 6 million people live in Rio, making it Brazil's second largest city. Many Cariocas live in favelas, or slums.

Boating is extremely popular in Rio, and there are numerous boat and yacht clubs dotting the coastline.