Favelas facts for kids

Rocinha is the largest hill favela in Rio de Janeiro. Favelas are found in cities all over Brazil, but many of the most famous ones are in Rio.

A favela is the term for a shanty town in Brazil. They are mostly found on the outskirts of urban areas. The people living in the favelas are the poor, and the rich people live in the city. Most of the buildings in favelas are made out of cheap materials, like plastic, wood, glass and scrap. The people usually build their houses themselves and invite their friends to help them build. Crime is common in favelas, as many of the people have no other way to make money. The favelas themselves are also considered illegal, because the people do not pay tax.

Related pages

• Slum

Images for kids

• 

  Rio's Santa Teresa neighborhood features favelas (right) contrasted with more affluent houses (left). The Christ the Redeemer, shrouded in clouds, is in the left background.

• 

  Former U.S. president Barack Obama visiting Rio's Cidade de Deus (City of God) favela. This favela started out as public housing built on marshy flatlands in the city's western suburbs.

• 

  The lights of Vidigal favela in Rio de Janeiro as seen from Ipanema and Leblon beaches. The cone spire to the far right is part of the Morro Dois Irmãos.

• 

  Bedroom on Favela of São Paulo

• 

  Pope Francis visits a favela in Brazil during the World Youth Day 2013.

• 

  Aerial tramway of the Complexo do Alemão, Rio de Janeiro. Used by favela commuters to the closer urban train station and tourist alike.

• 

  Panoramic view of Rio's Rocinha favela. Visible in the distance is the South Atlantic Ocean. The high-rise buildings near the coast are condominiums in São Conrado

See also

In Spanish: Favela para niños