Hotel for Brasilia

Building of the city began in 1956 with Lúcio Costa as the principal urban planner and Oscar Niemeyer as the principal architect. In 1960, it formally became Brazil's capital. When seen from above, the city's shape resembles an airplane or a butterfly. Brasília is also known as the "Capital da Esperança", which translates to "The Capital of Hope". The phrase was coined by French author André Malraux. Brasília is located in the Federal District, which has the same borders as the city. The federal district is surrounded by the Brazilian state of Goiás, except for a short boundary with Minas Gerais. The city is not a traditional municipality by Brazilian law.