October 27, 2012 - 1:43 PM
RIO DE JANEIRO - Rio de Janeiro is commemorating the 100th birthday of the iconic cable car that runs to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, one of Brazil's most-visited landmarks.
An estimated 40 million people have taken the cable car ride since its first two-stage trip up Sugarloaf on Oct.27, 1912.
To reach the top of the 1,300-foot (396-meter) mountain, visitors must first take a cable car to the 720-foot (220-meter) high Morro da Urca, and there switch to a second car for the rest of the trip, which gives a breathtaking view of Rio de Janeiro.
The 65-passenger cars take about three minutes to complete each stretch.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012