A large mountain chain separates the north of Rio and downtown from the beach areas to the south (or Rio Sul). Copacabana, at the bottom of the picture, is further cut off by another chain of mountains. Most traffic to Copa goes through tunnels in those mountains. The only significant non-tunnel access to Rio Sul from the north is through a narrow valley to the right of the lake in the lower center of the drawing.

Thus Rio Sul is isolated by geography from the rest of the city, just as the island of Manhattan is isolated by water from the other New York boroughs. To some degree, Manhattan limits the amount of traffic on the island by charging high tolls on tunnel and bridge access. It also provides good subway transportation, which decreases the need for buses and private autos. In many areas, Rio Sul is as densely populated as Manhattan but offers neither alleviating factor. The result in Rio Sul is clogged roads and smelly exhaust fumes, unappealing to tourists and residents alike. A outline of the major roads in Rio Sul is below: