The Rio Carnival, the biggest carnival in the world, is attended by more than 5 million visitors from across the globe. The carnival is held 40 days before Easter and runs for 4 days.

The carnival highlights the beautiful and extravagant culture of Brazil. Celebrites like Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, J.Lo, Beyonce, Jude Law, Paris Hilton, Pamela Anderson and Kevin Spacey and Fergie were present, this year, to see the sequin-clad Samba dancers. About 13 Samba schools participated in the parade.

A dancers of Grande Rio samba school parades on a float during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012.
A dancers of Grande Rio samba school parades on a float during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012. PA
A dancer of Grande Rio samba school parades on a float during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012. Nearly 100,000 paying spectators turn out for the all-night spectacle at the Sambadrome
A dancer of Grande Rio samba school parades on a float during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012. Nearly 100,000 paying spectators turn out for the all-night spectacle at the Sambadrome PA
A performer from the Grande Rio samba school parades during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Feb.21, 2012. Nearly 100,000 paying spectators turn out for the all-night spectacle at the Sambadrome
A performer from the Grande Rio samba school parades during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Feb.21, 2012. Nearly 100,000 paying spectators turn out for the all-night spectacle at the Sambadrome PA
A dancer of Grande Rio samba school parades during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012. Nearly 100,000 paying spectators turn out for the all-night spectacle at the Sambadrome
A dancer of Grande Rio samba school parades during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012. Nearly 100,000 paying spectators turn out for the all-night spectacle at the Sambadrome PA
Dancers of Salgueiro samba school parade on a float during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday Feb. 21, 2012.
Dancers of Salgueiro samba school parade on a float during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday Feb. 21, 2012. PA
Dancers of Salgueiro samba school parade during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday Feb. 20, 2012.
Dancers of Salgueiro samba school parade during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday Feb. 20, 2012. PA
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Brazilians got just .08% of the vote. PA
Performers from the Grande Rio samba school parade during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Feb.21, 2012. Nearly 100,000 paying spectators turn out for the all-night spectacle at the Sambadrome
Performers from the Grande Rio samba school parade during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Feb.21, 2012. Nearly 100,000 paying spectators turn out for the all-night spectacle at the Sambadrome PA
EDS NOTE NUDITY - A dancer from Salgueiro samba school parades during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday Feb. 21, 2012.
EDS NOTE NUDITY - A dancer from Salgueiro samba school parades during carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday Feb. 21, 2012. PA
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