Rio de Janeiro - Millions welcomed the new year on the beaches and in the streets of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo in
Brazil with exuberant parties. On Rio de Janeiro's famous Copacabana beach 2 million spectators were treated to a 15-minute firework extravaganza launched from pontoons anchored offshore, accompanied by Brazil's
trademark samba
music and caipirinha cocktails.
On Sao Paulo's Avenida Paulista boulevard some 2 million people samba-ed into 2010, undeterred by pouring rain. Huge screens along the 2-kilometre party zone showed the countdown into the new year. Shortly after midnight (0200 GMT) confetti rained down on the revellers.
Brazilians welcome the new year three times. The world's fifth largest country spans three time zones.
