Brazilian shantytown or
slum. Built on the
outskirts of major cities in
Brazil such as
Rio de Janeiro or
São Paulo, as well as most other
urban areas. Usually built on
hillsides, and often adjacent to
upper-class areas, where many of the
favelados (
residents of the
Favelas) work as
maids or
servants. Other
favelados work in
industry or occasionally as
university professors.
Houses in favelas tend to be small, in disrepair, and lacking running water, sewer connections, and electricity. But some favelas have developed to become little more than unofficial working-class neighborhoods, rather crowded but with essential services including plumbing, electricity, schools, and parks, and even samba schools.
The excellent film Orfeu Negro (Black Orpheus) presents a romanticized vision of life in the favelas in the mid-1950's.