It’s a bird… it’s a plane… it’s… Brasilia! Welcome to one of the world’s most famous and notorious

cities

for being entirely designed at the drawing table. The

capital

of the Federative Republic of Brazil has been unremittingly controversial from the inauguration in 1960 until today. A futuristic urban utopia representing Brazilian efficacy for one and a soulless, megalomaniac waste of money for the other.

In any case, the

capital

, masterminded by courageous president Kubitschek and zealous

architect Niemeyer

, became the first 20th century city with the status of World Heritage Area. It is not only the seat of all three branches of the Brazilian government, Brasilia hosts the headquarters of some Brazilian corporations as well.

While primarily attracting diplomatic and business visitors, the city holds enough interesting sights for the leisure traveller. Especially if you are interested in daring architecture, fond of order and tidiness and crazy about gourmet food, shopping and sophisticated nightlife. In 2014 Brasilia will be a host city of

FIFA World Cup Brazil

.