What exactly is a favela?
The houses in the favela are usually made first from wattle-and-daub, a mixture of sand and clay, and eventually to the use of wood, brick and sheet metal. Rio de Janeiro, like many major cities in rapidly developing countries, is experiencing a dramatic increase in population. While the city of Rio is growing at 2.7% a year, the favelas are growing at a rate of 7.5% a year. This increase has come mostly in the form of the rural poor migrating to the cities. Because of the high land values and the enormous demand for space, these poor are forced into squatter settlements. Favels generally occur in two areas of Rio: along the steep hillsides or along the outer fringes of the city. The most famous favelas are those built along the hillsides (see pictures). Rio de Janeiro is not the only South American city with this type of squatter settlements. But what makes Rio’s favelas unique is their locations. Most of them are situated on hillsides offering panoramic views over the city and the oc
