Minas Gerais

Table of Contents: Regions / Cities / Other destinations / Culture and History / Electricity / Talk / Travel to Minas Gerais, visa requirements / Get around / Minas Gerais attractions and sightseeing / Itineraries / City tours / Good restaurants and cheap meals / Minas Gerais nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs. / Stay safe / Get out More from Southeast (Brazil): Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro (state), São Paulo More from Brazil: Central West (Brazil), Northeast (Brazil), North (Brazil), Southeast (Brazil), South (Brazil) More from South America: Amazonia, Andes, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, Guyana, Los Roques, Pantanal, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Tierra del Fuego, Uruguay, Venezuela

Minas Gerais is a state in Brazil's Southeast region.

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Regions

• Central
• Central West (Centro-oeste)
• Jequitinhonha-Mucuri
• Mata
• North (Norte)
• Northwest (Noroeste)
• Paranaiba
• Rio Doce
• South (Sul)
• Triangulo (Triângulo)

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Cities

• Belo Horizonte -- the state's capital, a cultural and economic metropolis
• Congonhas
• Diamantina -- famous for its diamonds, its music and 18th century architecture
• Ouro Preto -- the most important Brazilian ensemble of Baroque architecture, a World Heritage Site
• Juiz de Fora -- an industrial and university center located between Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte, hosts an important festival of Baroque music
• São João del Rei -- the largest colonial town
• Tiradentes -- A charming small colonial town

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Other destinations

• Caraça

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Culture and History

Libertas quae sera tamen

"Minas Gerais" means "General Mines", so called because of the various mines in the area. Some still operate; in February 2006 a ring of diamond smugglers, passing off diamonds from Minas as if they were South African, was broken up.

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Electricity

Electricity in Minas Gerais is 110 V 60 Hz, but there may be 220 V outlets, so ask. Plugs have two round prongs about 2 cm apart, but outlets that also handle US plugs are common in places frequented by tourists, such as hotels and LAN houses.

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Talk

Mineiros speak Portuguese like other Brazilians, but the Mineiro sotaque can be difficult to understand. If someone's speech sounds like a jumble of sounds, try saying Pode falar devagar, por favor?.

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Travel to Minas Gerais, visa requirements

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Get around

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Minas Gerais attractions and sightseeing

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Itineraries

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City tours

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Good restaurants and cheap meals

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Minas Gerais nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.

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Stay safe

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Get out

More from Southeast (Brazil): Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro (state), São Paulo More from Brazil: Central West (Brazil), Northeast (Brazil), North (Brazil), Southeast (Brazil), South (Brazil) More from South America: Amazonia, Andes, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, Guyana, Los Roques, Pantanal, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Tierra del Fuego, Uruguay, Venezuela

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