Rio Branco (literally White River in English) is a neighbourhood (bairro) of the city of Porto Alegre, the state capital of Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil.
Rio Branco was initially called Colônia Africana (or African Colony), because it became a favela after the abolition of slavery in 1888.
However, a process of reurbanization was implemented in the area during the 1920s, and authorities banished former slaves and their families.
Subsequently, the neighbourhood was named in honour of the Baron of Rio Branco and became home to upper and middle-class people.
This geographical article relating to Rio Grande do Sul is a stub.