Country | Brazil |
Population | 2315560 |
Area | 331.354 km2 (127.936 sq mi) |
Time Zone | UTC−3 (BRT) |
Coordinates | -19.92083, -43.93778 |
Highest elevation | 852 m (2,795 ft) |
City Gallery
City Description
Belo Horizonte, Brazil’s sixth-largest city, boasts a population of approximately 2.3 million and is a bustling hub within the Belo Horizonte metropolitan area, which has around 6 million residents. As the 13th-largest city in South America and the 18th in the Americas, it stands out as a significant urban center.
Situated in the state of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte serves as the state capital, which is Brazil’s second-most populous state. This city is notable for being the first planned modern city in Brazil, a vision realized in the 1890s to replace Ouro Preto as the state capital. Influenced by the urban planning of Washington, D.C., the city was designed by architects Aarão Reis and Francisco Bicalho.
Belo Horizonte is characterized by its unique geography, being set on several hills and completely encircled by mountains. This topography contributes to the city’s picturesque landscape and extensive green spaces. The Mangabeiras Park (Parque das Mangabeiras), located 6 km southeast of the city center in the Curral Ridge (Serra do Curral), offers expansive views and covers 2.35 km², with nearly 0.9 km² dedicated to native forest. The Jambeiro Woods (Mata do Jambeiro) nature reserve, covering 912 hectares, showcases typical Atlantic Forest vegetation and is home to over 100 bird species and 10 mammal species.
Culturally, Belo Horizonte is renowned for its blend of contemporary and classical architecture. The Pampulha Complex, a notable example of modern Brazilian architecture, exemplifies this mixture. The city has also gained international recognition for its urban revitalization and food security initiatives.
In sports, Belo Horizonte has earned its place on the global stage by hosting the FIFA World Cup in 1950 and 2014. It also shared hosting duties for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and the football events of the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Overall, Belo Horizonte stands as a vibrant and dynamic city with a rich history, diverse geography, and a prominent role in both cultural and international events.
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