Final answer:
Rio de Janeiro has a population of over 10 million and is an influential travel and business hub known for its cultural and coastal attractions. Approximately 87 percent of Brazil's population lives in urban areas with Rio being a significant metropolis facing the challenges of rapid urban growth and the existence of poverty-stricken areas like favelas.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rio de Janeiro is a major travel and international business center with a population of more than 10 million people. It is a city famous for its vibrant carnival festivities, stunning coastline, and cultural attractions including the well-known beaches and Sugarloaf Mountain. Brazil itself has undergone significant urbanization, with about 87 percent of its population residing in urban areas like Rio de Janeiro, adding to its bustling metropolis status.
The large population in urban areas such as Rio de Janeiro has led to the emergence of favelas - slums that extend out from the central city for miles. These are areas where poverty is commonplace, even amid the economic growth that urbanization brings to a city. Despite being an urbanized country, Brazil continues to face challenges typical of large urban centers such as overcrowding, pollution, and congestion. The ongoing rural-to-urban migration contributes to the expansion and dynamic nature of cities like Rio de Janeiro.
Considering the forward planning efforts such as the creation of the forward capital of Brasilia to develop Brazil's interior regions, Rio de Janeiro still remains one of the core cities shaping Brazil's urban development. Its population, along with São Paulo and Brasilia, continues to grow at an unprecedented rate due to internal migration to these urban centers, where people are in search for work and better living conditions.