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[[nl:Belo Horizonte]]
[[nl:Belo Horizonte]]
'''Belo Horizonte''' is one of the most important cities in [[Brazil]]. It is the [[capital]] of [[Minas Gerais]] state, located in the southeast of the [[country]].
'''Belo Horizonte''' (meaning ''beautiful horizon'') is among the most important cities in [[Brazil]], and one of its nine metropolises. It is the [[capital]] of the [[Minas Gerais]] state, located in the southeast of the [[country]].


With a population of more than 2 million, Belo Horizonte was once a small village, founded by the prospector from [[São Paulo]] [[João Leite da Silva Ortiz]], who found a land of very good [[weather]] and decided to stay, building a farm named [[Curral del Rei]]. The farm's wealth brought new people to the region.
With a population of slightly more than 2 million, Belo Horizonte - or BH- stands as a place for intense economical and cultural activity.


== History of Belo Horizonte==
The village grew, and when Brazil turned into a republic it was chosen to be the site for building the new capital of Minas Gerais, which [[Ouro Preto]] was at that time. It was then that the name Belo Horizonte was given to the city.


The metropolis was once a small village, founded by the prospector from [[São Paulo]] [[João Leite da Silva Ortiz]], who found a land with nice [[weather]] and decided to stay, building a farm named [[Curral del Rey]]. The farm's wealthy sucess brought more people to the region.
One interesting aspect of the city is that is was planned by the urbanist Aarão Reis. The capital of the state was transferred in 1897. Today (2003) its population exceeds 2.14 million people, making it the fourth-largest city in the country. Located in the nearby suburb of Pampulha is a collection of important buildings, including the Capela de São Francisco de Assis (Igreja da Pampulha), designed by Brazil's famous modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer.


The village grew, and when Brazil turned into a republic in [[1889]], Curral Del Rey was chosen as the site for the new capital of Minas Gerais, replacing [[Ouro Preto]], the capital at the time. The name Belo Horizonte and the status of capital were given in [[1897]], oficially the year of BH´s birth.
More information on every aspect of the city may be found at its [http://www.pbh.gov.br Web Page].

One interesting feature is that the main avenues and streets were planned by an urbanist - [[Aarão Reis]]. The city´s growth- specially intense in the last twenty years- far surpassed any planning, tough, and the city now faces several infra-structural problems. About 20% of the population has no acces to sewage service, and floods are a problem in the slums, destroying houses and killing people in the rainy season ([[November]] to [[March]]).

==Places to Go==

Located in the nearby suburb of Pampulha is a collection of important buildings, including the Capela de São Francisco de Assis (Igreja da Pampulha), designed by Brazil's famous modernist architect, [[Oscar Niemeyer]].

'''More Information'''
*[http://www.pbh.gov.br City Hall Web Page]
*[http://www.belohorizonte.com.br See the City as in a Helicopter (in English)
*[http://www.maristahall.com.br Marista Hall- a place to go at BH

Revision as of 20:09, 7 December 2003

Belo Horizonte (meaning beautiful horizon) is among the most important cities in Brazil, and one of its nine metropolises. It is the capital of the Minas Gerais state, located in the southeast of the country.

With a population of slightly more than 2 million, Belo Horizonte - or BH- stands as a place for intense economical and cultural activity.

History of Belo Horizonte

The metropolis was once a small village, founded by the prospector from São Paulo João Leite da Silva Ortiz, who found a land with nice weather and decided to stay, building a farm named Curral del Rey. The farm's wealthy sucess brought more people to the region.

The village grew, and when Brazil turned into a republic in 1889, Curral Del Rey was chosen as the site for the new capital of Minas Gerais, replacing Ouro Preto, the capital at the time. The name Belo Horizonte and the status of capital were given in 1897, oficially the year of BH´s birth.

One interesting feature is that the main avenues and streets were planned by an urbanist - Aarão Reis. The city´s growth- specially intense in the last twenty years- far surpassed any planning, tough, and the city now faces several infra-structural problems. About 20% of the population has no acces to sewage service, and floods are a problem in the slums, destroying houses and killing people in the rainy season (November to March).

Places to Go

Located in the nearby suburb of Pampulha is a collection of important buildings, including the Capela de São Francisco de Assis (Igreja da Pampulha), designed by Brazil's famous modernist architect, Oscar Niemeyer.

More Information