Belo Horizonte
Situation and Characteristics
Belo Horizonte, which has been capital of Minas Gerais since 1897, lies in the middle south of the state. It is laid out on a regular grid plan modeled on that of Washingtom DC. The hills round the city are so full of iron that in
many of the outer areas automobiles in neutral gear are drawn uphill by magnetic force: all the local guides and taxi-drivers know of such places.
Bus station
Praça Rio Branco
Access
Belo Horizonte has an international airport (Aeroporto Internacional Tancredo Neves) to the north, in the commune of Lagoa Santa, which is linked with the city by MG 010 (Estrada Velha de Confins), and a domestic airport (Aeroporto de Pampulha).
The city is surrounded by a ring road which is joined by BR 040 (Rio de Janeiro-Brasília), BR 381 (São Paulo-Belo Horizonte) and BR 262 (Vitória-Belo Horizonte).
History
The origins of Belo Horizonte go back to a gold-diggers' settlement called Curral del Rei which was founded in 1701. Then the gold ran out and the development of Curral del Rei slowed down. In 1890 it was renamed Belo Horizonte, and seven years later became capital of Minas Gerais state.