Rio de Janeiro is an important gateway to Brazil and even South America, and is also one of the most economically developed regions in Brazil and South America, known as Brazil's important transportation hub and information and communication, tourism, culture, finance and insurance center. Rio de Janeiro is the second largest industrial base in Brazil. The Port of Rio de Janeiro within the city's borders is one of the world's three greatest natural harbors, and the Statue of Christ in Rio de Janeiro is the city's symbol and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
The state of Rio is also the second largest industrial base in Brazil, with 22,050 industrial enterprises of all kinds in 2000. The state is especially known for its chemical, petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries, which account for 15% of Brazil's production of similar products, with offshore oil mining at the top of the list. Rio State is rich in natural resources, especially offshore oil and natural gas resources reserves and production accounted for the first in Brazil.