Image source, Reuters

We've had Afghanistan and South Africa and here come Germany, each athlete waving a Brazilian flag and their own nation's flag. Up next is Angola, led by visually impaired sprinter Esperanca Gicasso. 

Ibrahim Al Hussein is part of the first independent team. He lost his leg in a bombing in Syria, and will compete in the S9 50m freestyle and S9 100m freestyle.

Image source, Getty Images

The bit we're all waiting for: the parade. Each nation will have a placard bearer, who will be carrying a jigsaw piece. All these will join together to form a complete puzzle. On one side is the country's name, on the other an image of all the participating athletes.

Up first is the Independent Paralympic Athletes, led by Syrian refugee Ibrahim Al Hussein. 

The flag is hoisted by the firefighters of the 3º GMAR from Copacabana. Brazilian pianist Joao Carlos Martins finishes up his peaceful rendition of the national anthem - his right hand is severely disabled, meaning he plays the piano with his left hand and one finger of his right.

Everything goes very quiet and very calm for the entrance of the Brazilian flag

It's being carried by Roseane Miccolis, the daughter of Paralympic sport pioneer Aldo Miccolis. And the stadium stands as one for the Brazil national anthem, performed on the piano by Joao Carlos Martins.

Music! This is Afrolata, a band created in 1998 by a group of youngsters who grabbed whatever they could and played it. Then it's into a dance routine on the beach before the sun starts to set.

Ever wondered why it's called the Paralympics? Know your boccia from your goalball? It's all explained here...

This is designed to show that it's a beach accessible for everybody. There's a nifty game of tennis going on by the shore, along with some football, volleyball and plenty of sunbathing.

They sure do like big creations in Brazil as we're treated to the awesome, giant figures of a man walking across the beach followed by some seagulls. 

And now the locals join in with their umbrellas and skateboards as the Maracana is transformed into a life like beach. 

Top marks for effort!

The Maracana is lit up in red and white as we have a samba solo to get us into the mood.

Lights out, now, before a swimming pool appears. In it is Brazil's most decorated Paralympian, Daniel Dias, who is swimming in nine events in the S5 category.

Trying to get your head around the different classifications? 5 Live have a handy little guide to how the Paralympics works.

We've got a sport-by-sport guide over here too so you can brush up on your Paralympics knowledge.

It wouldn't be Brazil without a bit of Samba to the infectious beat of some drums....

And now we have a parade of some very big red and white wheels. Everyone seems to be in a very joyous mood inside Rio's iconic Maracana. 

Into the first section of the ceremony - a tribute to the wheel, which begins with a samba circle. 

A countdown is followed by an amazing bit of trickery from wheelchair jumper Aaron Wheelz, who backflips his way into the Maracana down a giant ramp. If I could do that, I'd be doing it everywhere.

Sir Philip Craven has a mad dash across Rio, taking in the glorious view from the Christ the Redeemer statue, before he arrives at the Maracana. And the opening ceremony is about to get under way...

We're kicking things off with a video from International Paralympic Committee president Philip Craven at the home of the Paralympics in Britain, Stoke Mandeville.