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Simply
called Minas, the state is a major producer of milk, coffee and
other agricultural commodities as well as minerals. It had a very
prosperous past with the gold rush of past centuries and an important
rule on the making of the Brazilian History. Today an important
center for business and tourism as well. |
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Simply
called Minas, the state is a major producer of milk, coffee and
other agricultural commodities as well as minerals. It had a very
prosperous past with the gold rush of past centuries and an important
rule on the making of the Brazilian History. Today an important
center for business and tourism as well.
The State of Minas Gerais is as large as France. Minas has good
roads but travelling long distances can be a sinuos affair. The
landscape is mostly hills, deep valleys and plateus running off
large mountains. Lot of its land has been cleared by mining and
agriculture. Minas has several hydromineral spas in the mountains
of the southwest corner of the state and some prehistoric caves
near the capital city of Belo Horizonte. The main touristic attractions
are without a doubt the historic cities that remain frozen in time
since the gold rush of the XVIII century. The baroque churches and
the the sacred art, mostly sculptures from Aleijadinho one of the
world's greatest artists represent almost half of Brazil's national
monuments
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A
planned city that began on the late 1890's and it's home of the
very first buildings designed by Oscar Niemeyer the famous architect
that has in his curriculum nothing less than the construction of
Brasilia the capital of Brazil. The city is sorrounded by green
areas, has many restaurants and pubs and a vibrant night life.
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Located in the remote Serra do espinhaco range with easy access
from Belo Horizonte, less than two hours from the capital city
by car. Buses run daily to Ouro Preto from Belo Horizonte and
booking your trip at least a day in advance it's hightly recomended
if you choose this method of transportation. The town is 1000
meters above sea level and temperatures vary from 35 to 95 degrees.
Winters (June-August) can be kind of cold. It can be rainy or
foggy. The best time to visit is in the fall (March to May).
There
are plainty of places to visit while in Ouro Preto and around town
in the near other historic towns. Keep in mind that it takes at
least two days to see the town properly and count on spending extra
time when visiting the other towns. The
main things to see around Ouro Preto, the Antonio Dias Parish, Tirandentes
Square, Pilar Parish, Mineral Museum, Inconfidencia Museum and several
baroque churches. The church of Sao Francisco de Assis, Carmo church,
the Prophets of Congonhas do Campos and other relics in Mariana,
Sabara, Tirandentes and Sao Joao Del Rei were all carved by Aleijadinho,
Brazil's Michelangelo who lost the use of his legs and arms at the
age of 30, but that became a figure of international prominence
in the history of art with a chisel and a hammer strapped to his
arms.
Other Historical Towns in Minas are Sabara which was the first major
goldminning center in the state, Congonhas where a little is left
from its colonial past but the extraordinary Prophets of Aleijadinho
at the Basilica do Bom Jesus do Matosinhos, simply Brazil's most
famed work of Art. Sao Joao Del Rei, Mariana and Tirandentes still
preserve important architectural assemblage.
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