The famous Christ the Redeemer statue sits atop the mountain originally named the "Pinnacle of Temptation" by the Portuguese and renamed "Corcovado" for its hunchback-shaped form many years later (*1).

Inaugurated on October 12, 1931 in a great ceremony, the statue stands approximately 125 feet and takes 222 steps to reach it from the road or train station. For those that are not so eager to suffer the long climb up, there are escalators and elevators (*2).

On 07/07/2007, the Christ the Redeemer statue was officially named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, along with the Chichen Itza in Mexico, the Colosseum in Italy, the Taj Mahal in India, the Great Wall in China, the Petra in Jordan, and the Machu Picchu in Peru. (*3)

Unfortunately, I doubt I will have the opportunity to see this incredible statue. Perhaps, however, I will have the opportunity in the future. I hope to go to Brazil again in 2014 as that is when the World Cup will be held in several states' stadiums throughout the country.

Resources:
(*1) http://www.copacabana.info/Christ-the-Redeemer-history.html
(*2) http://www.destination360.com/south-america/brazil/christ-redeemer
(*3) http://www.new7wonders.com/the_whole_world_of_new7wonders/the_official_new_7_wonders_of_the_world/
Photos:
Earth Hour Global