The capital of Brazil is Brasilia, a planned city that became the country’s official capital in 1960. Designed by the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer and urban planner Lúcio Costa, Brasilia was constructed to promote the development of the interior of Brazil and to reduce the concentration of political and economic power in coastal cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The city's modernist architecture and unique urban layout have earned it a designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it an intriguing destination for visitors interested in architecture and urban planning.