Although Rio is not Brazil's largest city, nor its capital, its historical role as the nation's preeminent urban center makes it the single most important city in the country in terms of education, culture, and the arts. The city is well endowed with both public and private universities. Rio contains the National Library, housed in an impressive neoclassical building, and the National Archive. Another important part of the city's cultural offerings are its museums, including the National Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the National Fine Arts Museum, the National Historical Museum, the Museum of the Indian, and the Carmen Miranda Museum. The Municipal Theater, built in 1905 and modeled on the Paris Opera House, is in the core of the city and is home to Rio's ballet troupe and opera company.
Architecture is an important component in the city's landscape.
Another building of interest is the Imperial Palace, located several blocks west of Santos Dumont Airport. Originally constructed as Brazil's colonial governor's capitol in 1743, it was converted to the royal palace during the city's period as an imperial capital. It has recently been restored and now houses a cultural center. Other impressive 19th-century palaces include Itamaraty and Catete, both located in the city center. The latter was occupied by the country's presidents between 1896 and 1954 and now houses the Museum of the Republic.