If you’re not traveling to Brazil for the Summer Olympics, you can still explore the geography and culture of Rio de Janeiro, courtesy of Google. Rio: Beyond the Map, released to the public July 29, has prepared a series of materials with stunning video, interactive media and profiles of artistic cariocas, as natives of Rio de Janeiro are called.
The experience begins with a 360-degree video of a motorcycle taxi ride up a hillside through the narrow, twisting streets of the São Carlos favela. The interactive landscape then allows users to learn more about landmarks, or watch short segments about artists from the favelas.
Beyond the Map is presented by Google Arts and Culture alongside thousands of images and video curated in partnership with local institutions. Each online exhibits focuses on different art forms and areas of the city, with interactive slideshows that showcase artwork and photography from Rio’s rich past and present.
Source (Greg Uyeno, “2016 Olympics: Visit Rio with 360-Degree Videos and Virtual Reality”, LiveScience, 02.08.2016)
