Benfica, Rio de Janeiro

Benfica
Neighborhood
State		Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Municipality/City	Rio de Janeiro
Zone	Centro
Population  (2010)
• Total	25,081[1]

Benfica is a neighborhood in the

(Downtown) Administrative Region.

Benfica was first populated in the 16th century, as an area of

, in 1759, possessions in Benfica were granted to various private owners, and the region became further populated.

The neighbourhood has historically played a role as a resting place and point of passage to places of interest in the outskirts of Rio, most notably on the Estrada Real (Royal Road). Today, Benfica is served by the Avenida Brasil and Avenida Dom Hélder Câmara, two avenues which link downtown Rio to suburbs in the North and West Zones.

References