In 2001, the State of Rio created a 25.000 square meters public swimming pool in the northern suburbs or Rio de Janeiro. The aim was to provide a safe access to sea water for locals and particularly children in this area close to the Guanabara bay, reputed to be polluted and dangerous. Soon after its creation, the Piscinão de Ramos featured in a soap opera and became famous accross Brasil. For the middle class collective imagination, Ramos became a place to avoid, and there was a growing perception that the Piscinão was a convenient plan to keep suburbans and favelas inhabitants away from the more glamourous beaches of Ipanema, Leblon and Copacabana.