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MINAS GERAIS
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Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais is the state with the highest altitude in the
country: 57% of its territory lies more than 600 meters above
sea level (the Mantiqueira and Espinhaço mountain ranges). The
economy is based on industry (textiles, clothing, metallurgy,
electric materials, construction, mining, steel-making,
processing of non-metallic minerals, agribusiness), ranching,
and agriculture. The state occupies an area of 588,383.6 sq. kms.,
and the capital is Belo Horizonte.
History
The opening of the region commenced in the 16th century by bands
of adventurers looking for gold and precious stones. The first
important gold discoveries in 1693 triggered a rush punctuated
by clashes, the most serious of which was the Outsiders (“Emboabas”)
War, from 1707-10. The captaincy of São Paulo and Gold Mines
(“Minas de Ouro”) was created in 1709 and soon after, in 1720,
divided into São Paulo and Minas Gerais.
During the first half of the 18th century, the region was the
economic center of the colony and underwent rapid population
growth. Gold production, however, began to decline around 1750,
and Portuguese efforts to increase tax collection led to a
popular rebellion, which culminated in the Minas Conspiracy (“Inconfidência
Mineira”) in 1789.
In 1833 dissatisfaction with the Regency gave rise to the
Restoration Movement, and in 1842 the inhabitants of Minas
joined the Liberal Revolution.
In 1927 Minas was the first state to adopt a secret ballot.
In the 20th century Minas Gerais fortified its position as one
of the country’s major political and economic forces.
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Location: |
Southeast Region
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Capital: |
Belo Horizonte
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Population: |
17,905,134 (IBGE, 2000 Population Census)
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GDP 2001: |
US$ 35.9 billion (R$ 113.5 billion)
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Per capita GDP: |
US$ 1,984.46 (R$ 6,261.00)
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Number of municipalities: |
853
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Representation in the National Legislature: |
three senators and 53 federal deputies
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Illiteracy rate: |
12.2% (2000 Census)
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Unemployment rate: |
9.0% (IBGE 2002)
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Largest cities: |
Belo Horizonte (2,238,526), Contagem (538,017), Uberlândia
(501,214), Juiz de Fora (456,796), Montes Claros (306,947)
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Vegetation: |
Tropical forest and savannah
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Climate: |
Tropical
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Average annual temperature: |
21°C |
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After various studies on its characteristics, the flag of the State of Minas Gerais
was instituted by law n¡ 2.793, of January 8th,1963.
The Flag consists of a white rectangle, with twenty units of length and
fourteen of width, with a red equilateral triangle in the center, that has eight units on
each side, presenting on the upper left side, the word "LIBERTAS"; on the upper
right side the words "QUAE SERA” and on the bottom, the word "TAMEN",
forming in the whole the slogan of the conspiration of Minas Gerais (Inconfidência
Mineira).
The form and design of the flag were made on the model idealized by the leaders
of the liberation movement, of 1789, which would be adopted by the Republic that they
planned to create. According to what is declared by Tiradentes, the triangle reminds the
Three Persons of the Trinity.
Pictures of Minas Gerais and its cities...
 Belo Horizonte (78K) |
 Formiga (52K) |
 Araxá Barreiro |
 Largo
do Carmo - Outro Preto |
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 Ouro Preto |
 Ouro Preto (very nice picture) (83K) |
 Cozinha Mineira |
 Montanhas |
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 Temperos de minas
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 Veu da noiva - Cipó |
 Ouro Preto (26K) |
 Tres Pontas (Milton Nascimento's land (43K)
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 Uberaba -
Praça Ruy Barbosa - old pic (8K) |
 Uberlandia (32K) |
 Fazenda Boa Esperança |
 Ouro
Preto |
 Igreja Pilar - Ouro Preto |
Links to Minas Gerais its cities...
Belo Horizonte
Interior
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