Rio granted World Heritage status

The landscape of Rio de Janeiro has been made an official world heritage site by Unesco.

The Brazilian city, with its seemingly endless white-sand beaches and imposing granite mountains, was handed the title in recognition of the unique way its natural setting cohabits with an urban landscape.

Officials highlighted a number of features for special mention. These included the Christ the Redeemer statue which gazes out on the world from Corcovado Mountain, Copacabana bay with its white beaches and granite hills and the Botanical Gardens, which were created in the early 1800s.

Another area that impressed Unesco was the urban forest at Tijuca National Park.

Unesco said these elements "have contributed to the outdoor living culture of this spectacular city", adding that "Rio de Janeiro is also recognised for the artistic inspiration it has provided to musicians, landscapers and urbanists".