Belo Horizonte

Belo Horizonte, the first modern Brazilian city to spring from an architect’s drawing board, was especially designed for its role as the capital of the state of Minas Gerais. Its wide, landscaped avenues and carefully planned residential suburbs have, however, suffered the impact of the country’s high rate of urbanization.

 

Belo Horizonte is the distribution and processing centre of a rich agricultural and mining region and the nucleus of a burgeoning industrial complex. Its chief manufactures are steel, steel products, automobiles, and textiles. Gold, manganese, and gemstones of the surrounding region are processed in the city.

 

Belo Horizonte is also a leading cultural centre, with three universities, a historical museum, numerous libraries, and sports stadiums. Because of its altitude (850m) the climate is refreshing and cool.

 

In the state of Minas Gerais, you can discover the architecture of the past, visiting the famous masterpieces of the baroque sculptor Aleijadinho, and the historic towns of Ouro Preto, Mariana, São João Del Rey, Tiradentes, Sabará, Diamantina, and Congonhas do Campo. The city of Belo Horizonte offers a night life and cultural activities for year round intensity. Brazil begins to show its more urban side in the Southeast. The states of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, comprise this region.

 

For further information: www.pbh.gov.br

 

Belo Horizonte

"Prophet", by Aleijadinho