*** Welcome to piglix ***

Minas Gerais

Minas Gerais
State
State of Minas Gerais
Flag of Minas Gerais
Flag
Coat of arms of Minas Gerais
Coat of arms
Motto: Libertas Quæ Sera Tamen (Latin)
"Freedom albeit Late"
Location of State of Minas Gerais in Brazil
Location of State of Minas Gerais in Brazil
Coordinates: 19°49′S 43°57′W / 19.817°S 43.950°W / -19.817; -43.950Coordinates: 19°49′S 43°57′W / 19.817°S 43.950°W / -19.817; -43.950
Country  Brazil
Capital and largest city Belo Horizonte
Government
 • Governor Fernando Pimentel (PT)
Area
 • Total 586,528.29 km2 (226,459.84 sq mi)
Area rank 4th
Population (2012)
 • Total 19,855,332
 • Estimate (2015) 20,869,101
 • Rank 2nd
 • Density 34/km2 (88/sq mi)
 • Density rank 14th
Demonym(s) Mineiro
GDP
 • Year 2010 estimate
 • Total R$ 351,381,000,000 (3rd)
 • Per capita R$ 17,931 (10th)
HDI
 • Year 2010
 • Category 0.731 – high (9th)
Time zone BRT (UTC-3)
 • Summer (DST) BRST (UTC-2)
Postal Code 30000-000 to 39990-000
ISO 3166 code BR-MG
Website mg.gov.br

Minas Gerais (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈminɐz ʒeˈɾajs]) is a state in the north of Southeastern Brazil. It ranks as the second most populous, the third by gross domestic product (GDP), and the fourth largest by area in the country. The state's capital and largest city, Belo Horizonte, is a major urban and finance center in Latin America, and is the sixth largest municipality in Brazil, after the cities of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Brasilia and Fortaleza, but its metropolitan area is the third largest in Brazil with just over 5,500,000 inhabitants, after those of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Minas Gerais is the state with the largest number of Brazilian presidents.

With an area of 586,528 square kilometres (226,460 sq mi)—larger than Metropolitan France—it is the fourth most extensive state in Brazil. The main producer of coffee and milk in the country, Minas Gerais is known for its heritage of architecture and colonial art in historical cities such as São João del-Rei, Congonhas, Ouro Preto, Diamantina, Tiradentes and Mariana. In the south, the tourist points are the hydro mineral spas, such as Caxambu, Lambari, São Lourenço, Poços de Caldas, São Thomé das Letras, Monte Verde and the national parks of Caparaó and Canastra. The landscape of the State is marked by mountains, valleys, and large areas of fertile lands. In the Serra do Cipó, Sete Lagoas, Cordisburgo and Lagoa Santa, the caves and waterfalls are the attractions. Some of Brazil's most famous caverns are located there. In recent years, the state has emerged as one of the largest economic forces of Brazil, exploring its great economic potential.


...
Wikipedia

...