Rio de Janiero, the second largest city in Brazil and the third largest metro area in South America, is home to a number of attractions. Rio and its tropical savannah climate offer world-class hotels, 80 kilometers of beach land, and the Sugarloaf and Corvado mountains. Rio also supplies visitors with glimpses of the Christ the Redeemer monument, Botafogo's cove, Rio Downtown, Rio-Niteroi bridge, Maracana Stadium, Barra de Tijuca, and this holiday season, the sixth largest cities in the Americas will also have the tallest floating Christmas tree in the world.

Guinness World Records has recognized the tree at the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon as the tallest tree of its kind. Weighing in at 542 tons, standing nearly 280 feet tall, and built on 11 massive platforms, the tree continues a tradition that dates back two decades, where tourists who visit during the holiday season get to observe a truly unique and magnificent lighting event. The lights often flickers to simulate the changes in the four seasons; as well as images of leaves, snowflakes, flowers and gold ribbons hung to represent the seasons.

"It was the first time that I saw the lighting of this tree and I think it was really beautiful," a Brazilian onlooker told The Telegraph. "It was very emotive, I cried, I thought it was wonderful."

Illuminated by 3.3 million light bulbs, and introduced alongside whimsical music and flaring 6-minute fireworks show, the tree was first lit this past Saturday, Nov. 30, and has attracted thousands, despite the constant rain. Last Saturday's light show also featured "Todos os natais do mundo" (All of the Christmas celebrations of the world), with included a performance of "The Nutcracker" an adaption of "The Wizard of Oz." In the evening the lights from the tree brighten the night, and this continue every evening until Jan. 6. The prodigious tree will be moved to two other locations in the city during the season.