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Main cities
A few of the largest and most well known cities of Mines Gerais include Juiz de Fora, Belo
Horizonte and Ouro Preto. In particular Juiz de Fora is known for its important steel mills and
automotive factories and is ranked as being the third most important industrial center of the

state. On the other hand Belo Horizonte is known for having numerous mines and livestock.
Belo Horizonte sits in the middle of the Curral del Rey mountains and is home to the Federal
University of Minas Gerais and the Catholic University of Minas Gerais. The city Ouro Preto
was founded in 1698 as one of the greatest center for gold mining. After Brazil’s independence
from Portugal, the city became the capital of Minas Gerais however this later changed due to
transportation difficulties and resulted in Belo Horizonte becoming the official state capital.

References
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Ouro Prêto.” Encyclopædia Britannica,
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 16 Aug. 2012, www.britannica.com/place/Ouro-Preto.
Brown, Sarah. “A Music Lover's Guide to Brazilian Pop.” Culture Trip, 2 Sept. 2016,
theculturetrip.com/south-america/brazil/articles/a-music-lovers-guide-to-brazilian-music/.
Meyer, Amelia. “Brazil.org.za.” Portuguese Colonisation Of Brazil, 1 Jan. 1970,
www.brazil.org.za/minas-gerais.html
“Minas Gerais - Economy and Infrastructure.” Rules of Beach Soccer in Brazil, www.v-

brazil.com/information/geography/minas-gerais/economy.html.
“Minas Gerais Food: The Richness of the Jequitinhonha Valley.” Vivejar, 16 Aug. 2017,
vivejar.com.br/en/minas-gerais-food/
“Sertanejo.” Great Brazilian Music - Samba, www.greatbrazilianmusic.com/sertanejo.html.

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