[xsmommy]

that is very interesting. well, aren't you and grimmy the fascinating LA story tellers? i am totally enthralled with you two, being the Latin American Studies major undergrad. Please, continue to hold forth on the subject!

[TheGrimReaper]

While Argentina is principally founded on Western European culture (Spain, Italy, Britain), Brazil (in addition to its indiginous native population) is heavily influenced by African and Arab culture.
When the Portuguese discovered Rio de Janeiro (River of January), they actually misnamed it, thinking that the body of water running through the area was a river. It turned out to be a bay that cut into the coastline, but obviously they didn't bother to rename the city.