You can use both start and begin for an activity. "Begin" is more formal than "start":

I started playing the piano when I was 8 years old.

What time does the meeting start?

He's beginning to read more advanced books in English.

We left the park when it began to rain.

When you turn on a car or vehicle, use "start":

I had to call a mechanic because my car wouldn't start.

In general, begin is used for more formal and more abstract ideas:

Scientists are studying how life began on earth.

World War II began in 1939.

The Best bits of Brazil

Christ the Redeemer

The silhouette of Christ the Redeemer perched on top of Corcovado mountain (the Portuguese word for hunchback) is such an iconic symbol of Brazil and Rio de Janeiro, that taking the train up to the top is perfect bucketlist fodder. Especially since the great momument emerged, in 2010, from all the scaffolding that had kept it from sight while it was being spruced up.
At 40 metres, it is considered to be the fifth largest statue of Jesus in the world.