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'{{Infobox settlement |name = Belo Horizonte |settlement_type = Municipality |official_name = The Municipality of Belo Horizonte |nickname = ''BH'', ''The Garden City'' |image_skyline = Belo Horizonte Fotos.jpg |imagesize = 250px |image_caption = From upper left: Night view; Curral mountain range; Belo Horizonte skyline; and [[Mineirão Stadium]]. |image_flag = Bandeira de Belo Horizonte.png |image_seal = Brasao de Belo Horizonte.png |image_map = MinasGerais Municip BeloHorizonte.svg |mapsize = 250px |pushpin_map=Brazil |pushpin_map_size=250 |pushpin_map_caption=Location in Brazil |subdivision_type = [[List of countries|Country]] |subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of Brazil|Region]] |subdivision_type2 = [[States of Brazil|State]] |subdivision_name = {{flag|Brazil}} |subdivision_name1 = [[Southeast Region, Brazil|Southeast]] |subdivision_name2 = {{flag|Minas Gerais}} |leader_title = [[Mayor]] |leader_name = [[Marcio Lacerda]] ([[Brazilian Socialist Party|PSB]]) |established_title = Founded |established_date = 1701 |established_title2 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]] (as city) |established_date2 = December 12, 1897 |area_magnitude = 1 E8 |area_total_km2 = 330.9 |area_total_sq_mi = 127.7 |elevation_m = 852.19 |elevation_ft = 2796 |area_land_km2 = |area_land_sq_mi = |area_water_km2 = |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 = 282.3 |area_urban_sq_mi = 109 |area_metro_km2 = 9459.1 |area_metro_sq_mi = 3652 |population_as_of = 2009 |population_note = |population_footnotes = |population_total = 2452617 ([[List of largest cities in Brazil|4th]]) |population_metro = 5397438 |population_urban = |population_blank1_title = [[Demonym]] |population_blank1 = Belorizontino |population_density_km2 = 7290.8 |population_density_sq_mi = 17521 |latd= 19 |latm= 55 |lats= 8.88 |latNS= S |longd= 43 |longm= 56 |longs= 19.2 |longEW= W |timezone = [[Time in Brazil|BST]] |utc_offset = -3 |timezone_DST = [[Time in Brazil|BDT]] |utc_offset_DST = -2 |postal_code_type = Postal Code |postal_code = 30000-000 |blank_name = '''[[Human Development Index|HDI]]''' (2000) |blank_info = 0.839 – <span style="color:#090">high</span> |website = [http://www.belohorizonte.mg.gov.br Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais] |footnotes = }} '''Belo Horizonte''' (lit. "Beautiful Horizon", {{IPA-pt|bɛloɾiˈzõtʃi}}<ref>This is the local pronunciation. Elsewhere in Brazil it is pronounced {{IPA|[bɛlu oɾiˈzõtʃi]}}, ({{IPA|[bɛlu oɾiˈzõti]}}, or {{IPA|[bɛlu oɾiˈzõte]}}</ref>) is the capital of the state of [[Minas Gerais]], located in the [[Southeast Region, Brazil|southeastern region]] of [[Brazil]]. It is the third-largest metropolitan area in the [[country]]. Belo Horizonte (or "Beagá", as it is also familiarly known from the sound of its initials "BH" in Portuguese) has a population of over 2.4 million, reaching almost 5.4 million in the official Metropolitan Area. The first [[Human settlement|settlements]] in the region occurred in the early 1700s, but the [[city]] as it is known today was planned and constructed in the 1890s, in order to replace [[Ouro Preto]] as the capital of [[Minas Gerais]]. The city is well known for the contrast between contemporary and classical buildings, being the location of many modern Brazilian architectural icons, most notably the Pampulha Complex. In planning it, Brazilian [[engineer]]s Aarão Reis and Francisco Bicalho found their inspiration in the town plan of [[Washington D.C.]]<ref>[http://www.v-brazil.com/tourism/minas-gerais/belo-horizonte.html Belo Horizonte in Brazil Travel]</ref> It is also becoming known for its internationally recognized programs in urban revitalization and food security, the latter of which has won several international accolades. In the area surrounding Belo Horizonte there are several parks. The "Parque das Mangabeiras", located six kilometres south east from the city centre in the hills of the Serra do Curral, affords a view over the city. It has an area of 2.35 million m², of which 900 000 m² is [[Atlantic forest|native forest]]. The "Mata do Jambeiro" nature reserve extends over 912 hectares, with vegetation typical of the [[Atlantic forest]]. More than one hundred species of [[bird]]s inhabit the reserve, as well as ten different species of [[mammal]]s. Belo Horizonte is a leading cultural center, with more than twenty [[universities]], including the traditional Federal University [[UFMG]] and several high-ranked private Universities, several [[museums]], numerous [[libraries]], different kinds of private and public music concerts, a diverse traditional and modern cousin, big parks - located in such places as downtown and also in the outskirts -, beautiful plaza squares, numerous options for night life in bars, restaurants and night clubs and many other aspects of the city life that lead to arts and entertainment - including that fact that the city has a couple major soccer [[stadium]]s, a traditional soccer scene and also big sports centers and private athletic unions or clubs. The city is built on several hills and completely surrounded by [[mountain]]s.<ref>[http://www.world66.com/southamerica/brazil/belohorizonte About Belo Horizonte]</ref> The constant rising and falling of the streets sometimes makes navigation a bit tricky, but the wide avenues lined with trees are always easy guidelines. The [[Confins International Airport]] connects Belo Horizonte with many Brazilian cities and also operates international flights. Belo Horizonte is the distribution and processing center of a rich [[agriculture|agricultural]] and [[mining]] region and the nucleus of a burgeoning [[Industry|industrial complex]]. Production is centred on [[steel]], steel products, [[automobiles]], and [[textiles]]. [[Gold]], [[manganese]], and [[gem stone]]s mined in the surrounding region are processed in the city.<ref>[http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~sergiok/brasil/belo.html BH city]</ref> Belo Horizonte is home to the [[Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais|Federal University of Minas Gerais]]. ==Geography== ===Surrounding cities and metropolitan area=== [[Image:RMBH.jpg|thumb|left|<center>Municipalities of the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte.<center/>]] The nonspecific term "Grande BH" ("Greater Belo Horizonte") denotes any of Belo Horizonte's metropolitan area definitions. The legally defined ''Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte'' consists of 34 municipalities in total, and a population of 4,939,053 inhabitants (as of 2007, according to IBGE)<ref name="IBGE_Pop_2007">{{Cite web| url = http://www.ibge.gov.br/home/estatistica/populacao/contagem2007/popmunic2007layoutTCU14112007.xls | title = Estimativas / Contagem da População 2007 | date = 2007-11-14 | published = Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) | accessdate = 2008-05-29}}</ref><ref name="SIDRA">{{Cite web | url = http://www.sidra.ibge.gov.br/bda/tabela/listabl.asp?z=cd&o=17&i=P&c=793 | title = Tabela 793 - População residente, em 1º de abril de 2007: Publicação Completa | date = 2007-11-14 | published = Sistema IBGE de Recuperação Automática (SIDRA) | accessdate = 2008-05-29}}</ref>. The intense process of conurbation that currently occurs in the ''Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte'' has made ineffective the political boundaries between some municipalities in the region, creating a city whose center is in Belo Horizonte and reaches municipalities, such as [[Contagem]], [[Betim]], [[Nova Lima]], [[Ribeirão das Neves]], [[Santa Luzia, Minas Gerais|Santa Luzia]] and [[Sabará]], among others. Because of the fact that the capital is a young city, the municipality of Belo Horizonte is much smaller than most major Brazilian centers, which tends to diminish the proportion of peripheral lower-income population situated inside the city's formal limits in comparison to these other large cities in the southeast of Brazil. This is an important fact to take into consideration when analyzing the city's indicators, especially those involving income distribution or the proportion of people living below the poverty line in the population. The limits of the municipality are [[Vespasiano]] on the north, [[Santa Luzia, Minas Gerais|Santa Luzia]] on the northeast, [[Sabará]] on the east, [[Nova Lima]] on the southeast, [[Brumadinho]] on the south and [[Ribeirão das Neves]], [[Contagem]] and [[Ibirité]] on the west. The ''Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte'' is also composed of the municipalities of [[Baldim]], [[Betim]], [[Caeté]], Capim Branco, [[Confins]], [[Esmeraldas, Minas Gerais|Esmeraldas]], Florestal, [[Igarapé]], [[Itaguara]], Itatiaiuçu, Jaboticatubas, [[Juatuba]], [[Lagoa Santa]], [[Mario Campos]], [[Mateus Leme]], Matozinhos, [[Nova União]], [[Pedro Leopoldo]], [[Raposos]], [[Ribeirão das Neves]], [[Rio Acima]], Rio Manso, [[São Joaquim de Bicas]], [[São José da Lapa]], [[Sarzedo, Minas Gerais|Sarzedo]] and [[Taquaraçu de Minas]]. ===Relief=== As a region of contact between different geological series of the [[Proterozoic]], is composed of [[crystalline rock]]s, which gives to the territory different landscapes. It's located in a large geological unit known as [[craton]] of [[San Francisco River|San Francisco]], referring to extensive crustal nucleus of central-eastern Brazil, tectonicly stable at the end of the [[Paleoproterozoic]] and bordering areas that suffered the regeneration at the [[Neoproterozoic]]. [[Image:RelevoBH.gif|thumb|right|<center>Elevation map of Belo Horizonte.<center/>]] The [[archean]] rocks members of Belo Horizonte complex and supracrustais sequences of the Paleoproterozoic is predominant. The area of Belo Horizonte complex includes the geomorphological unit called ''Depression of Belo Horizonte'', which represents about 70% of the municipality area and has its greatest expression in the northern ''Ribeirão Arrudas'' (Rues Stream) pipeline. The [[metasedimentary]] rocks has its area of occurrence on the south of ''Ribeirão Arrudas'' pipeline, constituting about 30% of the area of Belo Horizonte. The characteristics of this area are lithological diversities and rugged topography, which has its maximum expression in the ''Serra do Curral'' (Corral Mountain), the southern boundary of the municipality. Its soil comprises a succession of layers of rocks of varied composition, represented by itabirite, [[dolomite]], [[quartzite]], filities and [[schist]]s different from the general direction northwest-southeast and dip to the southeast. The hills of Belo Horizonte are ramifications of the [[Espinhaço Mountains]] and belong to the group of the Itacolomi Mountains. Around the city are the mountains of Jatobá, José Vieira, Mutuca, Taquaril and Curral. The highest point in the municipality is in the ''Serra do Curral'', reaching 1,538 meters (5,046&nbsp;ft). ===Hydrography=== [[Image:Bacias BH.jpg|thumb|230px|left|<center>Elementary basins of Belo Horizonte.</center>]] Located in the [[San Francisco River|San Francisco Basin]], Belo Horizonte is not surrounded by any large river, but on its soil there are several streams and brooks, mostly channeled. The capital is served by two sub-basins, ''Ribeirão Arrudas'' (Rues Stream) and ''Ribeirão da Onça'' (Jaguar Stream), tributaries of the ''Rio das Velhas'' (''Velhas'' River). The two sub-basins are located in the top of ''Rio das Velhas'' and covers the municipalities of Belo Horizonte and [[Contagem]], in an area of 525.58&nbsp;km² and located on the left bank of the ''Rio das Velhas''. This is the most urbanized region of the basin, with an estimated population of 2,776,543 million people, according to the [[IBGE]], 2000.<ref name="manuelzao">Projeto Manuelzão[[UFMG|-(UFMG)]]. Arrudas e Onça agravam situação do Rio das Velhas: Condições ambientais das sub-bacias refletem impacto da região metropolitana. '''Boletim das subbacias do Rio das Velhas''', Belo Horizonte, n.5, p. 1-3, September 17th, 2003.</ref> The ''Ribeirão Arrudas'' crosses the city from west to east. Further north, part of the basin is in ''Ribeirão do Onça'', dammed to form the shell of the same name, one of the corners of the city's tourism and leisure. The ''Ribeirão Arrudas'' ends in the municipality of [[Sabará]] and the ''Ribeirão da Onça'' in [[Santa Luzia, Minas Gerais|Santa Luzia]], both in ''Rio das Velhas''. [[Image:RibeiraoArrudas3.JPG|thumb|230px|right|<center>A channelized section of the ''Ribeirão Arrudas'', with the ''Serra do Curral'' mountains in the background.</center>]] The ''Ribeirão Arrudas'' and ''Ribeirão da Onça'' are responsible for drainage of most sewers in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte and still suffer with the decrease in the areas of drainage and disorderly occupation of hillsides and valley, problems caused by the intense occupation of areas of the sub-basin. When these rivers empty their waters in the ''Rio das Velhas'', is observed a sharp deterioration in the quality of this river. The process of urbanization of the municipality tried hiding the water courses. The [[River engineering#Channelization|channelization]] was a practice but the orientation of the current municipal administration is not to channelizate the water courses. In these streams are not found fish in most of its length. As in some tributaries in better conditions, such as in drainages in the Mangabeiras Park may still be found some small catfishes and others. In the [[Pampulha]] dam, belonging to the sub-basin of the ''Riberão do Onça'', there are about 20 species, some exotics such as [[tilapia]], of African origin.<ref name="manuelzao"/> With two [[sewage]] treatment stations running, Belo Horizonte and Contagem have the capacity to treat 100% of their effluent.<ref name="manuelzao"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manuelzao.ufmg.br/folder_informa/folder_release/07-06-2006-bh-inaugura-nova-estacao-de-tratamento-de-esgotos|title=BH inaugura nova estação de tratamento de esgotos|author=Projeto Manuelzão[[UFMG|-(UFMG)]]| accessdate=January 30th, 2009}}</ref> ===Climate=== Belo Horizonte's climate can be classified as Tropical of altitude, with yearly average temperature between 9°C (48.2°F) and 35°C (95°F). The [[Köppen climate classification]] of the region is [[tropical savanna climate]], (Tropical on high altitudes, humid/warm summer and a dry/cool winter). As a city located in the [[southern Hemisphere]], Belo Horizonte's spring starts in September, its summer in December, its autumn in March, and its winter in June. Belo Horizonte is located about 300&nbsp;km (186&nbsp;mi) distant from the [[sea]]. [[Image:Serra do Curral BH.jpg|thumb|right|The Serra do Curral [[mountain]]s are the symbol of the city.]] Even though inter-seasonal differences are not as pronounced as they are in temperate places, and many people believe that, as in much of [[Brazil]], there are just two seasons (a hot and humid one from October to March, and a colder and drier one from April to September), there is a contrast between [[Spring (season)|spring]] and summer, and between fall and winter. The coldest month is generally July, with a lowest recorded temperature of 2°C (35°F). The hottest month is usually January, with a highest recorded temperature of 35.4°C (95.7°F). There can be problems related with low [[air humidity]] during August. The 852&nbsp;m (2795&nbsp;ft) elevation of Belo Horizonte helps a little in cooling the city, suppressing high maximum air temperatures experienced in nearby cities at lower altitudes. Belo Horizonte's climate is mild throughout the year. Temperatures vary between 11°C (51.8°F) and 31°C (87.8°F), the average being 20°C (68°F). Winter is dry, and summer is rainy. {{Infobox Weather |metric_first=yes |single_line=yes |location=Belo Horizonte |Jan_Hi_°C = 26 |Jan_REC_Hi_°C = 35 |Feb_Hi_°C = 27 |Feb_REC_Hi_°C = 33 |Mar_Hi_°C = 27 |Mar_REC_Hi_°C = 33 |Apr_Hi_°C = 26 |Apr_REC_Hi_°C = 32 |May_Hi_°C = 25 |May_REC_Hi_°C = 31 |Jun_Hi_°C = 23 |Jun_REC_Hi_°C = 31 |Jul_Hi_°C = 23 |Jul_REC_Hi_°C = 31 |Aug_Hi_°C = 25 |Aug_REC_Hi_°C = 33 |Sep_Hi_°C = 25 |Sep_REC_Hi_°C = 35 |Oct_Hi_°C = 26 |Oct_REC_Hi_°C = 36 |Nov_Hi_°C = 26 |Nov_REC_Hi_°C = 36 |Dec_Hi_°C = 25 |Dec_REC_Hi_°C = 36 |Year_Hi_°C = 26 |Year_REC_Hi_°C = 36 |Jan_Lo_°C = 22 |Jan_REC_Lo_°C = 17 |Feb_Lo_°C = 22 |Feb_REC_Lo_°C = 17 |Mar_Lo_°C = 22 |Mar_REC_Lo_°C = 17 |Apr_Lo_°C = 21 |Apr_REC_Lo_°C = 13 |May_Lo_°C = 18 |May_REC_Lo_°C = 7 |Jun_Lo_°C = 17 |Jun_REC_Lo_°C = 5 |Jul_Lo_°C = 17 |Jul_REC_Lo_°C = 2 |Aug_Lo_°C = 18 |Aug_REC_Lo_°C = 7 |Sep_Lo_°C = 20 |Sep_REC_Lo_°C = 12 |Oct_Lo_°C = 21 |Oct_REC_Lo_°C = 15 |Nov_Lo_°C = 21 |Nov_REC_Lo_°C = 12 |Dec_Lo_°C = 21 |Dec_REC_Lo_°C = 12 |Year_Lo_°C = 20 |Year_REC_Lo_°C = 2 |Jan_MEAN_°C = 24 |Feb_MEAN_°C = 25 |Mar_MEAN_°C = 25 |Apr_MEAN_°C = 23 |May_MEAN_°C = 22 |Jun_MEAN_°C = 21 |Jul_MEAN_°C = 20 |Aug_MEAN_°C = 22 |Sep_MEAN_°C = 22 |Oct_MEAN_°C = 23 |Nov_MEAN_°C = 23 |Dec_MEAN_°C = 23 |Year_MEAN_°C = 23 |Jan_Precip_cm = 29 |Feb_Precip_cm = 19 |Mar_Precip_cm = 15 |Apr_Precip_cm = 6 |May_Precip_cm = 2 |Jun_Precip_cm = 1 |Jul_Precip_cm = 3 |Aug_Precip_cm = 1 |Sep_Precip_cm = 4 |Oct_Precip_cm = 12 |Nov_Precip_cm = 24 |Dec_Precip_cm = 32 |Year_Precip_cm = 158 |source = Weatherbase<ref name="Weatherbase">{{cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=78538&refer=&units=metric |title=Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Belo Horizonte |dateformat=mdy |accessdate=}}</ref> |accessdate = }} ==History== [[Image:PracaEstacaoMonumentoBH.jpg|thumb|right|Station Square in Belo Horizonte.]] The [[metropolis]] was once a small [[village]], founded by João Leite da Silva Ortiz, a [[bandeirante]] explorer from [[São Paulo (city)|São Paulo]]. Having found a location with pleasant [[weather]], a nice landscape and good soil for farming, the explorer settled in the region in 1701, leaving a gold hunting expedition. He then established a farm called "Curral d'el Rey", archaic [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] for the "King's Corral, which in modern Portuguese would be spelled Curral do Rei." The farm's wealth and success encouraged people from surrounding places to move into the region, and Curral del Rey became a village surrounded by [[farm]]s. Another important growth factor of the village were the [[migrants]] from the [[São Francisco river]] region, who had to pass through Curral d'el Rey in order to reach southern parts of Brazil. Travelers usually visited a small wooden [[chapel]], where they prayed for a safe trip. Because of that, the [[chapel]] was named Capela da Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem, which means "Chapel of Our Lady of the Good Journey." After the construction of Belo Horizonte, the old baroque chapel was replaced by a [[neo-gothic]] [[Church (building)|church]] which became the city's [[cathedral]]. The previous capital of [[Minas Gerais]], Ouro Preto, was a symbol of both the monarchic [[Brazilian Empire]] and the period when most of Brazilian income was due to mining, and that never pleased the members of the [[Inconfidência Mineira]], republican intellectuals who conspired against the Portuguese dominion of [[Brazil]]. In 1889, Brazil became a [[republic]], and it was agreed that a new state capital, in tune with a [[modern]] and prosperous Minas Gerais, had to be set. In 1893, because of good climatic and topographic conditions, Curral Del Rey was elected by Minas Gerais governor [[Afonso Augusto Moreira Pena|Afonso Pena]] from other cities as the spot for the new economical and cultural center of the state, under the new name of "Cidade de Minas," or Minas City. Aarão Reis, an [[urbanist]] from the State of [[Pará]], was then set to design the first [[planned city]] of Brazil, and then Cidade de Minas was inaugurated finally in 1897, with many unfinished constructions as the [[Politics of Brazil|Brazilian Government]] set a deadline for its completion. Inhabitation of the city was subsidized by the local government, through the concession of free empty lots and funding for building houses. An interesting feature of Belo Horizonte Reis designed was the [[downtown]] street plan, featuring a regular array of perpendicular and diagonal [[street]]s, named after [[States of Brazil|Brazilian states]] and Brazilian [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|indigenous]] tribes. In 1906, the name was then changed to Belo Horizonte, and at that time the city was experiencing a considerable [[industry|industrial expansion]] that increased its [[Commerce|commercial]] and [[tertiary sector of the economy|service]] sectors. From its very beginning, the city's original plan prohibited [[worker]]s to live inside the urban area which was defined by Avenida do Contorno (a long avenue which goes around the city's central areas), reserved for the public sector functionaries (hence the name of the still trendy neighborhood "Funcionários"), and causing an accelerated occupation outside the city's area well provided with [[infrastructure]] since its very beginning. [[Image:Belo2.jpg|thumb|right|Afonso Pena Avenue.]]Obviously, the [[city]]'s original planners didn't count on its population growth afterwards, which proved especially intense in the last twenty years of the 20th century. In the 1940s, a young [[Oscar Niemeyer]] designed the Pampulha Neighborhood to great acclaim, a commission he got thanks to then-mayor, soon-to-be-president Juscelino Kubitschek. These two men are largely responsible for the wide [[Avenue (landscape)|avenue]]s, large [[lake]]s, [[park]]s and jutting [[skyline]]s that characterize the [[city]] today. Belo Horizonte is fast becoming a regional center of commerce, [[Google]] has their [[Latin America]]n headquarters there, from where the popular [[social networking]] website [[Orkut]] is fully managed and operated. It continues to be a trendsetter in the [[art]]s, particularly where [[music]], [[literature]], [[architecture]] and the avant-garde are concerned. There are plans underway to move a complex of [[government]] ministries north of the center, onto the [[road]] to Confins International Airport, liberating space around beautiful palm-fringed Praça da Liberdade to house the [[city]]'s symphony [[orchestra]] and other [[art]]s organizations. ==Demographics== [[Image:Savassibuilding.jpg|thumb|right|Savassi Neighborhood, a major financial center of Belo Horizonte.]] According to the [[IBGE]] of 2008, there were 6,082,776 people residing in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte. The population density was {{convert|7290.8|PD/sqkm|PD/sqmi}}. The last PNAD (National Research for Sample of Domiciles) census revealed the following numbers: 2,380,644 [[Brown people#Pardos in Brazil|Brown]] ([[Multiracial#Brazil|Multiracial]]) people (46.9%), 2,065,932 [[White Brazilian|White]] people (40.7%), 604,044 [[Afro-Brazilian|Black]] people (11.9%), 25,380 [[Asian Brazilian|Asian]] or [[Indigenous peoples in Brazil|Amerindian]] people (0.5%).<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.ibge.gov.br/home/estatistica/populacao/condicaodevida/indicadoresminimos/sinteseindicsociais2008/indic_sociais2008.pdf|title=Síntese de Indicadores Sociais 2008|publisher=[[IBGE]]|location=Belo Horizonte, Brazil|format=PDF|isbn=85-240-3919-1|accessdate=2009-01-31|year=2008|language=Portuguese}}</ref> The [[Metropolitan area|Metropolitan Region]] of Belo Horizonte is the 3rd most populous of [[Brazil]], after [[São Paulo]] and [[Rio de Janeiro]]. The [[city]] is the 6th most populous of the country. During the 18th century, Minas Gerais received many [[Portuguese Brazilian|Portuguese]] immigrants, mainly from [[Northern Portugal]] as well as a huge number of [[Afro-Brazilian|slaves from Africa]].<ref>[http://www.asminasgerais.com.br/?item=CONTEUDO&codConteudoRaiz=88&codConteudoAtual=165 Portuguese immigration]</ref> Belo Horizonte has a notable [[Italian Brazilian|Italian influence]], around 30% of the [[city]]'s population have some [[Italian Brazilian|Italian origin]].<ref>[http://www.insieme.com.br/portal/conteudo.php?sid=226&cid=1467&parent=0 Italian origin in BH]</ref> The [[Italian culture]] is present in the [[cuisine]], [[dance]], and [[language]].<ref>[http://www.cmbh.mg.gov.br/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23501&Itemid=367&filter=&nj=1 Italian Culture in BH]</ref> People of [[German Brazilian|German]], [[Spanish Brazilian|Spanish]], and [[Arab Brazilian|Syrian-Lebanese]] ancestries also make up sizeable groups.<ref>[http://www.luteranos.com.br/101/quem.html German immigration]</ref><ref>[http://www.familyd.net/_libano/libanesesnobrasil_3b.asp Arab immigration]</ref> ===Religion=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! style="background:#87CEFA; color:white" | Religion ! style="background:#87CEFA; color:white" | Percentage ! style="background:#87CEFA; color:white" | Number |- align="center" |[[Catholic]] |68.84% |1,541,185 |- align="center" |[[Protestant]] |18.10% |405,265 |- align="center" |[[Atheism|No religion]] |8.04% |179,995 |} ''Source: [[IBGE]] 2000.<ref>[http://www.sidra.ibge.gov.br/bda/tabela/listabl.asp?z=cd&o=7&i=P&c=2094 Sistema IBGE de Recuperação Automática - SIDRA<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> '' ==Economy== [[Image:Afonso Penna BH.jpg|thumb|left|[[Office building]]s at Afonso Pena Avenue.]] Despite its lack of [[beach]]es, Belo Horizonte annually receives large numbers of visitors, as it is in the Brazilian main economic axis, exerting influence even on other states. Both multinational and Brazilian companies, like [[Google]] and [[Oi (mobile phone network)|Oi]], maintain their headquarters in the city. The service sector plays a very important role in the economy of Belo Horizonte, being responsible for 85% of the city's [[GDP]], with the industry making up for most of the remaining 15%. Belo Horizonte has a developed industrial sector, being traditionally a pole of the Brazilian [[siderurgy|siderurgical]] and [[metallurgy|metallurgical]] industries, as the state of Minas Gerais has always been very rich in [[minerals]], specifically iron ore. The main industrial district of the city was set during the 1940s in [[Contagem]], a part of greater Belo Horizonte. Multinational companies like [[FIAT]] (which opened its plant in Betim in 1974), [[Arcelor]], and [[Toshiba]] have subsidiaries in the region, along with other [[textile]], [[Cosmetics|cosmetic]], [[food]], [[chemicals]], [[pharmaceuticals]], [[furnishing]] and [[refractory]] companies. Between the companies headquartered in the city we can list siderurgicals Açominas (held by [[Gerdau]], one of the largest multinationals originated in Brazil); [[Usiminas]]; Belgo-Mineira (held by [[Arcelor]]); [[Acesita]] (partially held by Arcelor); mobile communication [[Vivo S.A.|Vivo]]; and [[Telecom Italia Mobile]], as well as the [[NYSE]]-listed electrical company CEMIG, which is said to have the best transmission quality of Brazil. Leading steel product makers Sumitomo Metals of [[Japan]] and Vallourec of [[France]] have also recently announced plans to construct an integrated steel works on the outskirts of Belo Horizonte. [[Image:Belve1bh.jpg|thumb|left|Belvedere]][[Image:PrefeituraBH.jpg|thumb|right|[[City Hall]]]] There are also a large number of small enterprises in the technological sector with regional to nationwide success, particularly in the fields of [[computing]] and biotechonology. Because of both governmental and private funding in the diversification of its [[economy]], the city has become an international reference in [[Information Technology]] and [[Biotechnology]], and is also cited because of the advanced corporate and [[university]] research in [[Biodiesel]] fuel. Projects in these fields are likely to expand because of integration between universities, the [[oil]] company [[Petrobras]] and the [[Brazilian Government]]. Over 16% of the Brazilian biotechnological industries are located in Belo Horizonte, with annual revenues of more than US$ 550 million. During the past few years, the city has made investments in "[[Business]]-[[Tourism]]", by promoting more than 3,000 national or international events yearly. One of the largest events that ever took place in the city, the [[Inter-American Development Bank|IDB]] meeting, occurred in 2005 and attracted people from everywhere in the [[world]]. [[Image:Edifício Niemeyer BH.jpg|thumb|left|[[Oscar Niemeyer|Niemeyer]] [[building]].]] [[image:Belo horizonte1.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[Financial center]] of the city]] The two most important industrial clusters of the State of [[Minas Gerais]] are around the cities of [[Juiz de Fora]] and Belo Horizonte. In southern Minas Gerais, near Juiz de Fora, there is a concentration of [[textile]] industries, which started to be established in the 19th century. Belo Horizonte and vicinities (Contagem, Betim, Nova Lima, Pedro Leopoldo, Raposo, Rio Acima, Sabará, Santa Luzia e Vespasiano) have a diversified [[Industry|industrial complex]]; even though [[mineral]]s processing still have a large importance, there are important industries of [[vehicle]]s, [[food]] products, [[textile]], [[chemical]]s and others. Several [[steel]] producers are established all around the State: Mannesmann, Belgo-Mineira, Acesita, Usiminas; there is an [[oil]] refinery in Betim, directly connected by pipes to the producing areas off shore the [[Rio de Janeiro]] coast; [[vehicle]] makers, like [[Fiat]] (in Betim) and [[Mercedes-Benz]] (in Juiz de Fora) have plants in [[Minas Gerais]]. For a long time it was marked by the predominance of its [[industrial sector]], but from the 1990s there has been a constant expansion of the [[service sector]] economy, particularly in [[computer science]], [[biotechnology]], [[business tourism]], [[fashion]] and the making of [[jewelry]]. The city is considered to be a strategic leader in the [[Economy of Brazil|Brazilian economy]]. The [[GDP]] for the city was R$ 32,725,361,000 ([[2006]]).<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.ibge.gov.br/home/presidencia/noticias/noticia_impressao.php?id_noticia=1288|title=GDP|publisher=[[IBGE]]|location=Belo Horizonte, Brazil|format=PDF|isbn=85-240-3919-1|accessdate=2009-07-21|year=2006|language=Portuguese}}</ref> The [[GDP]] for the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte was R$ 62,329,388,000 ([[2005]]).<ref name="IBGE_PIB">{{cite web |url=http://www.ibge.gov.br/home/estatistica/economia/pibmunicipios/2005/tab01.pdf |title=Produto Interno Bruto dos Municípios 2002-2005|publisher=Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE)|accessdate=30-maio-2009}}</ref> The [[per capita income]] for the city was R$ 13,636 ([[2006]]).<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.ibge.gov.br/home/presidencia/noticias/noticia_impressao.php?id_noticia=1288|title=per capita income|publisher=[[IBGE]]|location=Belo Horizonte, Brazil|format=PDF|isbn=85-240-3919-1|accessdate=2009-07-21|year=2006|language=Portuguese}}</ref> == Statistics == [[image:Pracatiradentes.JPG|thumb|right|Headquarters Seculus da Avenida Amazonas.]] * Foundation Date: 12/12/1897 (111 years) * [[Area]]: 330.95&nbsp;km² * [[Population]]: 2,452,617 ([[IBGE]] 2009) - [[List of largest cities in Brazil|6th in the Brazil]] * [[Area]] of the [[metropolitan area]]: 9,459.1&nbsp;km² * [[Population]] of the [[metropolitan area]]: 5,397,438 ([[IBGE]] 2008) - [[List of largest cities in Brazil|3rd in the Brazil]] * [[Vehicles]]: 1,060,000<ref>[http://www.ibge.gov.br/cidadesat/topwindow.htm?1 IBGE Number of vehicles in the city of Belo Horizonte]</ref> * [[Urban Area]]: 868&nbsp;km² - 3rd of the [[Brazil]], 5th of the [[Latin America]] and 83th of the [[world]].<ref>[http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/largest-cities-area-125.html List of cities by urban area]</ref> * Air passenger traffic in 2008: 5,952,889 ([[Tancredo Neves International Airport|Confins]], [[Belo Horizonte/Pampulha - Carlos Drummond de Andrade Airport|Pampulha]] and Carlos Prates) * Capacity of the airports per year: 6,540,000 (5,000,000 - Confins, 1,500,000 - Pampulha, 40,000 - Carlos Prates) * Rail passenger traffic per day: 144,000<ref>[http://www.metrobh.gov.br/cbtu/v2/final/sobreometro/sabia/sabia.htm Metro BH]</ref> * Major companies installed ** Headquarters: [[Google]], [[Oi (telecommunications)|Oi]], [[Fiat]], [[Acesita]], [[Usiminas]], [[Belgo-Mineira]], [[Vivo S.A.|Vivo]], [[Telecom Italia Mobile|TIM]], [[Cemig]], [[Vallourec & Sumitomo Tubos do Brasil]], [[Seculus da Amazônia]]. ** Industry: [[Fiat]], [[Toshiba]], [[Mannesmann]], [[Petrobras]]. ==Education== [[Image:UFMGICBICEX.jpg|thumb|right|190px|[[Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais|Federal University of Minas Gerais]].]] [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] is the official national language, and thus the primary language taught in schools. But [[English language|English]] and [[Spanish language|Spanish]] are part of the official [[high school]] curriculum. ===Educational institutions=== * [[Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais]] (UFMG); * [http://www.unibh.br Centro Universitário de Belo Horizonte] (UNI-BH); * [http://www.uemg.br Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais] (UEMG); * [[Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais]] (PUC-MG); * [http://www.una.br Centro Universitário] (UNA); * [http://www.fumec.br Universidade FUMEC] (FUMEC); * [http://www.unifenas.br Universidade José do Rosário Vellano] (UNIFENAS); * [http://www.newtonpaiva.br Centro Universitário Newton Paiva]; * [http://www.cefetmg.br Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais] (CEFET-MG); * and many others. ==Culture== [[Image:Nu Agusto.jpg|thumb|left|Modern Art in the city.]] There are many notable [[Brazil]]ian artistic groups which have their origins in Belo Horizonte. [[Grupo Corpo]], which is perhaps the most famous [[contemporary dance]] group in the country, was created in the city in 1975, travel internationally and are acclaimed throughout the world. Giramundo is an important group, specialized in performing puppet shows. They maintain the museum of the puppets they created since their foundation in 1970, first launched a complete album in 1981, and has released 11 works since that year. Another innovative artistic group is [[Uakti (band)|Uakti]]. They create their own musical instruments using materials like [[PVC]], [[wood]], [[metals]] and [[glass]]. The origin of their name is based in a myth by the [[Tukano]] Indians, and reflects the [[indigenous peoples of the Americas|indigenous]] feeling present in their works. Many important [[rock music|rock]] groups were founded in Belo Horizonte, being among them [[Jota Quest]], [[Pato Fu]], [[Skank (band)|Skank]], [[14 Bis (Band)|14 Bis]], [[Sepultura]] and Tianastácia. [[Image:O Abraço.jpg|thumb|right|[[Statue]] in Pampulha Art Museum.]] [[Clube da Esquina]] is a musical movement that originated in the mid 1960s, and since that time their members have been considered influent in [[Minas Gerais]] culture and have important artists such as Tavinho Moura, Wagner Tiso, [[Milton Nascimento]], Lô Borges, Beto Guedes, Flávio Venturini, [[Toninho Horta]], [[Márcio Borges]], Fernando Brant and 14 Bis, among others. Every two years, the city realizes the FIT BH, The International Theater Festival of Belo Horizonte, which attracts artists from all over [[Brazil]] and many parts of the [[world]]. In 2006, there was an extreme [[sport]]s event in Belo Horizonte with a slogan that became very popular in Belo Horizonte: "Eu amo BH radicalmente", or "I love Belo Horizonte radically." The [[regional]] [[food]] and the "[[Cachaça]]", international [[drink]] from the State of [[Minas Gerais]] are the most top rated of this city.<ref>[http://www.world66.com/southamerica/brazil/belohorizonte/nightlife_and_ente Regional food and drink in BH]</ref> ===Museum=== Belo Horizonte has a number of [[museum]]s, among them: Mineiro Museum, Abílio Barreto Historic Museum, Arts and Workmanship Museum, Natural History Museum and the UFMG Botanic Gardens, Telephone Museum, Pampulha Art Museum, Mineralogy Museum Prof. Taylor Gramke, UFMG Conservatory, Giramundo Museum. Since 2006, the greater Belo Horizonte also counts with a contemporary art center in its outskirts, Inhotim, located in the city of Brumadinho and home of a relevant collection of the art production from the last 30 years. ==Events== [[Image:Bh brasil.jpg|thumb|left|BH on a cloudy afternoon]] '''Comida di Buteco''' In January and February, a specialist [[jury]] selects 31 [[bar (establishment)|bar]]s which, in the months of April and May, compete to see which one makes the best appetizers. '''International Theater Festival''' With the merger of two projects that would happen separately in 1994, one stage based, organized by the Francisco Nunes [[Theater]], and the other street based, idealized by Grupo Galpão, came FIT-BH Palco & Rua. Produced every two years, under responsibility from the Belo Horizonte [[City Hall]], through the Municipal Culture Office and the Association Movimento Teatro de Grupo of Minas Gerais, in the program there are [[street]] and [[Stage (theatre)|stage]] shows, and also seminars, workshops, courses, talks, etc. '''FID - Circulando BH''' In March and April is the [[performance]] program from FID promoting [[contemporary]] [[dance]] in Belo Horizonte. The program presents groups from Belo Horizonte. For this [[project]] the priority invitations go to the shows created by groups and [[choreographer]]s living in the city. The purpose is to take shows and other activities such as [[workshop]]s, talks and [[video]] screenings to the less privileged regions of the city regarding access to cultural assets. ==Transportation== ===International Airport=== [[Image:Aeroporto de Confins.jpg|thumb|right|[[Tancredo Neves International Airport|Confins International Airport (CNF)]].]] [[Tancredo Neves International Airport|Tancredo Neves/Confins International Airport]] is located in the municipalities of Lagoa Santa and Confins, 38&nbsp;km (23&nbsp;mi) from Belo Horizonte, and was opened in January 1984. It was planned from the start for future expansion in steps to meet growing demand. The [[airport]] has one of the lowest rates of shutdown for bad [[weather]] in the country. However, the Confins airport was not using much of its capacity until 2005, when it was decided that a large part of the Pampulha Airport [[flight]]s (which is smaller and located inside Belo Horizonte's urban area) would move to [[Confins]]. It was planned from the start for future expansion in steps to meet growing demand. The Tancredo Neves International Airport has both domestic and international flights to [[Miami]], [[United States]]; [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]]; [[Buenos Aires]], [[Argentina]]; [[Panama City]], [[Panama]]; and [[Paris]], [[France]]. ===Highways=== [[Image:ViadultoStaTereza.jpg|thumb|right|The Viaduto Santa Tereza is dated from the foundation of Belo Horizonte and is still a very important connection between Floresta and Downtown.]] The city is connected to the rest of Minas Gerais state and the country by a number of roadways. [[Minas Gerais]] has the country's largest federal [[highway]] network.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://noticias.terra.com.br/brasil/interna/0,,OI1422832-EI306,00.html|title=Tempo bom e trânsito lento marcam volta de feriado|publisher=Terra|location=Belo Horizonte, Brazil|format=PDF|isbn=85-240-3919-1|accessdate=2007-02-22|year=2007|language=Portuguese}}</ref> * [[Brazilian Highway System#BR-040|BR-040]] connects Belo Horizonte to [[Rio de Janeiro]] (going south) and [[Brasília]] (going northwest). It also links other cities in the state, such as [[Juiz de Fora]], [[Conselheiro Lafaiete]], Santos Dumont, [[Sete Lagoas]], and [[Paracatu, Minas Gerais|Paracatu]]. * [[BR-262]] begins in [[Mato Grosso do Sul]] and ends in [[Espírito Santo]], crossing [[Minas Gerais]] from west to east. It links Belo Horizonte to [[Pará de Minas]], [[Araxá]], [[Manhuaçu]], [[Uberaba]], and [[Vitória]], the capital of [[Espírito Santo]] state. * [[Rodovia Fernão Dias|BR-381]] is an important federal highway. It connects Belo Horizonte to [[São Paulo]]. * MG-010 is a state highway that connects the capital to the [[Tancredo Neves International Airport]], itself located in the municipalities of Confins and [[Lagoa Santa]], which are part of the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte. Starting in 2005, several flights were transferred from the [[Pampulha Regional Airport]] to the international airport. To improve access to the international airport, MG-010 is being expanded (effectively duplicating its lanes).<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.linhaverde.mg.gov.br/|title=Linha Verde|publisher=Governo do Estado de Minas Gerais|location=Belo Horizonte, Brazil|format=PDF|isbn=85-240-3919-1|accessdate=2007-01-30|year=2007|language=Portuguese}}</ref> The city is also served by other minor roads such as state highways MG-020, MG-050, MG-030, and MG-433. There is also an East-West Express Way, which goes from the city to the nearby industrial centers of [[Contagem]] and [[Betim]] (together having a population of ca. 900,000), and Anel Rodoviário, a kind of "beltway" - indeed it is not circumferential, but connects many highways, such as the federal (BR-ones) so it is not necessary for a large number of cars and trucks to pass through the city center. Many of these [[road]]s are in poor condition, but in the last years many revitalization and rebuilding projects have been started. ===Distances=== [[Image:BH11.jpg|thumb|right|View of Belo Horizonte.]] [[Image:BH16.jpg|thumb|View of Belo Horizonte.]] * Nova Lima: 22&nbsp;km (13.6&nbsp;mi) * São Sebastião das Águas Claras: 23&nbsp;km (14.2&nbsp;mi); * Sabará: 25&nbsp;km (15.5&nbsp;mi); * Santa Luzia: 26&nbsp;km (16.1&nbsp;mi); * Contagem: 27&nbsp;km (16.7&nbsp;mi); * Ravena: 30&nbsp;km (18.6&nbsp;mi); * Betim: 31&nbsp;km (19.2&nbsp;mi); * Rio Acima: 34&nbsp;km (21.1&nbsp;mi); * Caeté: 46&nbsp;km (28.5&nbsp;mi); * Juatuba: 49&nbsp;km (30.4&nbsp;mi); * Esmeraldas: 50&nbsp;km (31&nbsp;mi); * Brumadinho: 58&nbsp;km (36&nbsp;mi); * Moeda: 60&nbsp;km (37.2&nbsp;mi); * Florestal: 63&nbsp;km (39.1&nbsp;mi); * Sete Lagoas: 76&nbsp;km (47&nbsp;mi). ===Bus system=== The [[bus]] system has a large number of bus lines going through all parts in the city, and is administrated by ''BHTRANS''. Among the upcoming projects are the expansion of the integration between [[bus]] lines and the [[rapid transit|metro]], with integrated stations, many already in use. And the construction of bus corridors, with lanes and bus stops exclusively for the bus lines. Keeping buses from traffic congestions, making the trips more viable for commuters. [[Image:Metrobrl1.jpg|thumb|right|640px|[[Belo Horizonte Metro]].]] ===Metro=== [[Belo Horizonte Metro]] or MetroBH started operating at the end of 1970s, and is one of the oldest urban railways in the country. There is still just one line, with 19 stations, from Vilarinho to Eldorado Station, in Contagem, but it is now insufficient to address the commuting needs of the entire city, transporting a little over 160,000 people daily. Two new lines, one from Santa Tereza to Barreiro, which is being built, and one from [[Pampulha]] to Savassi, which is being planned. There is also a project for the expansion for the first line, from Vilarinho to [[Ribeirão das Neves]] and from Eldorado to [[Betim]]. When completed, the MetroBH is expected to transport over 800,000 people daily. ==Tourism and recreation== [[Image:Praca da Liberdade BH.jpg|thumb|right|Liberty Square.]] [[Image:ParqueMunicipalBH.jpg|thumb|right|The Municipal Park (Américo Reneé Giannetti) in downtown Belo Horizonte.<br />Built in 1897 with the city foundation.]] [[Image:IgrejaPampulha.jpg|thumb|right|São Francisco de Assis Church (Pampulha's Church).]] Belo Horizonte has several significant cultural landmarks, many of them situated in the [[Pampulha]] district, where there are notable examples of Brazilian contemporary architecture. These include one of the largest soccer stadiums in the world, the [[Mineirão]] stadium, and the [[Church of Saint Francis of Assisi|São Francisco de Assis Church]], widely known as Igreja da Pampulha, designed by Brazilian [[Modern movement|Modernist]] architect [[Oscar Niemeyer]]. In Pampulha there is also the [[Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais]] campus, whose buildings themselves are important contributions to the city's architecture. Other notable Pampulha buildings include the Mesbla and Niemeyer buildings, in addition to the headquarters of corporations such as [[Usiminas]], Seculus, and Telemig Celular. [[Image:PracaSete.jpg|thumb|left|Praça Sete de Setembro (September Seven Square) with an [[obelisk]] that celebrates [[Brazilian independence]].]] In [[downtown]] Belo Horizonte, are located the neo-Gothic Boa Viagem [[Cathedral]], the church of São José, the Praça da Estação (Station Square), which is an old [[train]] station that now is also the Museum of Arts and Workmanship, the Municipal [[Park]], the famous Sete de Setembro Square, where an [[Obelisk]] built in 1922 marks the one hundred years of [[Brazilian independence]] from [[Portugal]]. Near downtown, in the Lourdes neighborhood, the Lourdes Basilica is located, which is an example of [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival style]]. The Nossa Senhora de Fátima Church, in Santo Agostinho neighborhood, is situated in [[Carlos Chagas]] Square. Both churches are referred to as the Assembléia Church and the Assembléia Square because of their proximity to the state's [[legislative assembly]]. Next to [[downtown]] is the famous Savassi region, known for fine restaurants and as a center of cultural events as well as the best of the city's nightlife. Many [[landmark]]s are located there, such as the Praça da Liberdade (Liberty Plaza), and its surrounding buildings, including the Executive Offices of the [[governor]] called the Palace of Liberty (Palácio da Liberdade), the first [[building]] to be finished during the [[city]]'s planned development in the late 1890s. Last but not least is the "Rua do Amendoim" (Peanut Street), an example of a [[gravity hill]], where parked [[automobile]]s appear to roll uphill, defying gravity. Whether this is an illusion or a magnetic phenomenon is left to the visitor to decide. Though most of the effect seems to have disappeared because of housing development in the area, many people still believe that the [[street]] is [[Magic (paranormal)|magic]]. Another important [[landmark]] is Praça do Papa (Plaza of the [[Pope]]), located at a high point just south of the [[downtown]] area, with its spectacular view of the entire [[city]]. It is named for the July 1, 1980 visit by John Paul II, who held a youth mass there. The nearby Parque das Mangabeiras (Mangabeiras [[Park]]) features extensive wildlife, and-owing to its considerable size-has its own bus service, which operates solely within the confines of the park. ==Sports== {{See also|2014 FIFA World Cup}} [[Image:Mineirao longe.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The Mineirão [[Stadium]] with the Mineirinho [[arena]] next to it.]] As in the rest of Brazil, [[football (soccer)|football]] is the most popular sport among locals. Belo Horizonte has two of the most successful teams in the country, and the city also has one of the biggest football stadiums in the world, the [[Mineirão]], opened in 1965. The older [[Independência Stadium]] hosted a legendary victory of the United States World Cup Team 1950 in a 1-0 triumph over England. See [[England v United States (1950)]] and<ref>{{cite book|url=http://national.soccerhall.org/Monthly%20Column/MC.May.2005.htm|title=Soccerhall|publisher=Soccerhall|location=Belo Horizonte, Brazil|format=PDF|isbn=85-240-3919-1|accessdate=2007-07-18|year=2005|language=Portuguese}}</ref> [[Clube Atlético Mineiro|Atlético Mineiro]], which is also called by its nickname and mascot "Galo" ([[rooster]]) . Yet, one of the oldest [[soccer|football]] clubs in the city and was founded in 1908. [[Atlético Mineiro]] was the first Brazilian champion, in 1971, and has also won two [[Copa CONMEBOL|CONMEBOL Cups]] (nowadays called [[Copa Sudamericana]]) and 39 [[Campeonato Mineiro|State Championships]]. In spite of so much tradition, the team has suffered through very difficult times recently and was relegated to the [[Campeonato Brasileiro Série B|Brazilian Série B]]. However, the club won the championship in 2006 and is back to [[Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|Série A]] in 2007. [[Cruzeiro Esporte Clube|Cruzeiro]] was founded in 1921 by the members of the local [[Italian people|Italian]] community. Cruzeiro has been one of [[Brazil|Brazil´s]] most victorious clubs in the 1990s and early 2000s, winning 4 [[Copa do Brasil|National Cups]], 1 [[Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|National League]], 2 [[Copa Libertadores]], and 2 [[Supercopa Libertadores]], and is also the winner of [[Taça Brasil]] in 1966 and 34 [[Minas Gerais State Championship|State Championships]] including ''Supercampeonato Mineiro'' in 2002. The city is also home to [[América Mineiro]], which has its own playing field, the [[Independência Stadium]]. It was a major team in Brazil decades ago, but passed three years striving to leave [[Campeonato Brasileiro Série C|Brazilian League Série C]]. Things came worse at the beginning of 2007. The team was relegated to the [[Campeonato Mineiro|Módulo II of Campeonato Mineiro]] and didn't even qualify for playing the Série C, being completely out of Campeonato Brasileiro. Besides football, Belo Horizonte has one of the largest attendances at [[volleyball]] matches in the whole country. Crowds usually go to [[Mineirinho]] in order to watch either the [[Brazil national volleyball team]] or Minas Tênis Clube matches. Minas Tênis Clube is a sport association with various modalities. Besides Mineirinho, the clubs also plays on its own ground, the modern Vivo Arena. Both its male and female volleyball teams have already won the Brazilian Superleague of Volleyball titles. Belo Horizonte is one of the host cities of the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]], for which [[Brazil]] is the host nation. ==Human development== [[Image:Belo3.jpg|thumb|right|Belo Horizonte at night.]] The human development of Belo Horizonte varies greatly by locality, reflecting the city's spatial social inequality and vast socioeconomic inequalities. There are neighborhoods that had very high [[human development index]]es in 2000 (equal to or greater than the indexes of some [[Scandinavia]]n countries), but also those in the lower range (in line with, for example, [[Magreb|North Africa]]).<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.pnud.org.br/pobreza_desigualdade/reportagens/index.php?id01=2480&lay=pde|title=HDI|publisher=PNUD|location=Belo Horizonte, Brazil|format=PDF|isbn=85-240-3919-1|accessdate=2008-01-09|year=2000|language=Portuguese}}</ref> '''Highest-scoring neighborhoods and localities:''' * Carmo/Sion (0.973) - ''(Greater than [[Iceland]] - 0.968)'' * Cruzeiro/Anchieta (0.970) - ''(Greater than [[Iceland]] - 0.968)'' * Grajau/Gutierrez (0.965) - ''(Greater than [[Australia]] - 0.962)'' * Belvedere/Mangabeiras/Comiteco (0.964) - ''(Greater than [[Australia]] - 0.962)'' * Serra/São Lucas (0.953) - ''(Equal to [[Japan]], [[Netherlands]] - 0.953)'' ===Food as a right=== In 1993, under mayor [[Patrus Ananias de Souza]], the city started a series of innovations based on its citizens having the "right to food". These include, for example, creating [[farmers' market]]s in the town to enable direct sales, and regularly surveying current market prices and posting the results across the city.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.alternatives.ca/article3930.html|title=Belo Horizonte: The Beautiful Horizon of Community Food Sovereignty|publisher=''Alternatives International Journal''|location=Quebec, Canada|accessdate=2009-11-10|year=2008|author=Wayne Roberts and Cecilia Rocha}}</ref> The city's process of [[participatory budgeting]] was linked with these innovations, as a result of which the [[infant mortality rate]] was reduced by 50% in a decade.<ref>FRANCIS MOORE LAPPÉ, ''CounterPunch'', 18 March 2009, [http://www.counterpunch.org/lappe03182009.html The City That Ended Hunger]</ref><ref name="thesis">M. Jahi Chappell, ''PhD Thesis'', 2009, [http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/handle/2027.42/62417 From Food Security to Farm to Formicidae: Belo Horizonte, Brazil's Secretaria Municipal de Abastecimento and Biodiversity in the Fragmented Atlantic Rainforest]</ref> There is also some evidence that these programs have helped support a higher quality of life for the local farmers partnering with the city, and that this may also be having positive effects on biodiversity in the Atlantic Rainforest around the city.<ref name="thesis"/><ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.ryerson.ca/foodsecurity/publications/papers/UrbanFoodPolicy.pdf|format=PDF|title=Urban Food Policies and Rural Sustainability: How the Municipal Government of Belo Horizonte, Brazil is Promoting Rural Sustainability|publisher=Centre for Studies in Food Security, and Department of Nutrition, Ryerson University|location=Toronto, Canada|accessdate=2009-11-10|year=2003|author=Cecilia Rocha and Adriana Aranha}}</ref> The city's development of these policies recently garnered the first "Future Policy Award" from the [[World Future Council]], a group of 50 activists (including [[Frances Moore Lappé]], [[Vandana Shiva]], [[Wes Jackson]], and [[Youssou N'Dour]]<ref>[http://www.worldfuturecouncil.org/the_councillors.html The World Future Council: Councillors]</ref>) concerned with the development and recognition of policies to promote a just and sustainable future. The city has also undertaken an internationally heralded project called Vila Viva ("Living Village" in ''Portuguese'') that promises to "urbanize" the poorest areas (''favelas''), relocating families from areas with high risk of floods and landslides, but keeping them in the same neighborhood, paving main avenues to allow public transportation, police and postal service to have access to those areas. And all the work is done with 80% of locals, reducing unemployment and increasing family income.<ref name="mayor">[http://www.worldmayor.com/manifestos05/belohorizonte_05.html Belo Horizonte Mayor Fernando Damata Pimentel: A program of financial efficiency and social boldness]</ref><ref>[http://www.favelaeissoai.com.br/noticias.php?cod=59 {{pt icon}} Favela é isso ai]</ref> Former mayor [[Fernando Damata Pimentel]] was nominated for "World's Best Mayor" in 2005 on the strength of these and other programs.<ref name="mayor"/> ==Gallery== <gallery> Image:Bhcity2.jpg|Belo Horizonte Image:Tigre_Zoologico_BH_MG_29.09.2007.JPG|Tiger in Zoo Image:Fundacaozoobotanica03.jpg|Elephant at the zoo Image:Belo7.jpg|Neighborhood Belvedere Image:Belo_Horizonte-night.jpg|Belo Horizonte at night Image:Boaviagem.JPG|Church of Boa Viagem Image:ParquedasMangabeiras01.jpg|Mangabeiras Park Image:Serra_do_Curral_vista_de_dentro_do_Parque_das_Mangabeiras.jpg|Sierra of Curral Image:Serra rola moca.JPG|Sierra of Rola Moça Image:Torrealtavilaud5.jpg|Alta Vila Tower Image:Cemig.JPG|Headquarters [[Cemig]] Image:Senhora do carmo.JPG|Neighborhood Belvedere Image:Pracatiradentes.JPG|Headquarters Seculus da [[Amazônia]] Image:Praça jk bh.JPG|JK Place Image:Contorno.JPG|Contorno Avenue Image:Belo Horizonte metro train.JPG|[[Belo Horizonte Metro]] </gallery> ==Sister cities== Belo Horizonte's [[Town twinning|sister cities]] are:<ref name="sister">{{cite web |url=http://www.pbh.gov.br/bh-internacional/bhz-acordos_irmas.htm |title=Mayor's International Council Sister Cities Program |publisher=Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais|accessdate = 2008-08-18}}</ref> {| wikitable | width=48% valign="top" | * {{flagicon|USA}} [[Austin]], [[United States]] ([[1965]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cmbhapweb.cmbh.mg.gov.br:8080/silinternet/consultaNormas/detalheNorma.do?id=2c907f76166df5df01167099e6527668&metodo=detalhar# |title=Lei nº 1.999, de 27 de agosto de 1965|accessdate=29 de dezembro de 2008 |author=Câmara Municipal de Belo Horizonte}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Angola}} [[Luanda]], [[Angola]] ([[1968]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cmbhapweb.cmbh.mg.gov.br:8080/silinternet/consultaNormas/detalheNorma.do?id=2c907f76166df5df011670e158750a68&metodo=detalhar# |title=Lei n° 1.485 de 7 de maio de 1968|accessdate=29 de dezembro de 2008 |author=Câmara Municipal de Belo Horizonte}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Lebanon}} [[Zahle]], [[Lebanon]] ([[1974]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cmbhapweb.cmbh.mg.gov.br:8080/silinternet/consultaNormas/detalheNorma.do?id=2c907f76166df5df0116713432002070&metodo=detalhar# |title=Lei n° 2.380, de 11 de dezembro de 1974|accessdate=29 de dezembro de 2008 |author=Câmara Municipal de Belo Horizonte}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Spain}} [[Granada]], [[Spain]] ([[1975]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cmbhapweb.cmbh.mg.gov.br:8080/silinternet/consultaNormas/detalheNorma.do?id=2c907f76166df5df01167188d22635ce&metodo=detalhar# |title=Lei n° 2.492, de 22 de julho de 1975|accessdate=29 de dezembro de 2008 |author=Câmara Municipal de Belo Horizonte}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Portugal}} [[Porto]], [[Portugal]] ([[1986]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cmbhapweb.cmbh.mg.gov.br:8080/silinternet/consultaNormas/detalheNorma.do?id=2c907f76166df5df01166f419d17020a&metodo=detalhar# |title=Lei n° 4.574, de 15 de outubro de 1986|accessdate=29 de dezembro de 2008 |author=Câmara Municipal de Belo Horizonte}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Belarus}} [[Minsk]], [[Belarus]] ([[1987]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cmbhapweb.cmbh.mg.gov.br:8080/silinternet/consultaNormas/detalheNorma.do?id=2c907f76166df5df01166eec0ec65c99&metodo=detalhar# |title=Lei n° 4.926, de 18 de dezembro de 1987|accessdate=29 de dezembro de 2008 |author=Câmara Municipal de Belo Horizonte}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Cuba}} [[Havana]], [[Cuba]] ([[1995]])<ref name="sisterbh">{{cite web |url=http://portalpbh.pbh.gov.br/pbh/ecp/comunidade.do?evento=portlet&pIdPlc=ecpTaxonomiaMenuPortal&app=relacoesinternacionais&tax=11465&lang=pt_BR&pg=5781&taxp=0& |title= Relações Internacionais - Cidades Irmãs|accessdate=29 de dezembro de 2008 |author=Prefeitura Municipal de Belo Horizonte}}</ref> *{{flagicon|China}} [[Nanjing]], [[China]] ([[1996]])<ref name="sisterbh"/> |width=48% valign="top" | * {{flagicon|Palestine}} [[Bethlehem]], [[Palestine]] ([[2001]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cmbhapweb.cmbh.mg.gov.br:8080/silinternet/consultaNormas/detalheNorma.do?id=2c907f76166df5df01166f2751047715&metodo=detalhar# |title=Lei n° 8.150, de 04 de janeiro de 2001 (que altera a Lei nº 7.737, de 27 de maio de 1999) |accessdate=29 de dezembro de 2008 |author=Câmara Municipal de Belo Horizonte}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Syria}} [[Hims]], [[Syria]] ([[2001]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cmbhapweb.cmbh.mg.gov.br:8080/silinternet/consultaNormas/detalheNorma.do?id=2c907f76166df5df01166f6286e30f57&metodo=detalhar# |title=Lei nº 8.272, de 26 de dezembro de 2001|accessdate=29 de dezembro de 2008 |author=Câmara Municipal de Belo Horizonte}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Nicaragua}} [[Masaya]], [[Nicaragua]] ([[2002]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cmbhapweb.cmbh.mg.gov.br:8080/silinternet/consultaNormas/detalheNorma.do?id=2c907f76166df5df01166f8b76051f06&metodo=detalhar# |title=Lei nº 8.443, de 25 de novembro de 2002|accessdate=29 de dezembro de 2008 |author=Câmara Municipal de Belo Horizonte}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Libya}} [[Tripoli]], [[Libya]] ([[2003]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cmbhapweb.cmbh.mg.gov.br:8080/silinternet/consultaNormas/detalheNorma.do?id=2c907f76166df5df01166faa87422a64&metodo=detalhar# |title=Lei nº 8.559, de 17 de junho de 2003|accessdate=29 de dezembro de 2008 |author=Câmara Municipal de Belo Horizonte}}</ref> * {{flagicon|USA}} [[Fort Lauderdale]], [[United States]] ([[2003]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cmbhapweb.cmbh.mg.gov.br:8080/silinternet/consultaNormas/detalheNorma.do?id=2c907f76166df5df01166fae67962bc7&metodo=detalhar# |title=Lei n° 8.591, de 18 de junho de 2003 |accessdate=29 de dezembro de 2008 |author=Câmara Municipal de Belo Horizonte}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Honduras}} [[Tegucigalpa]], [[Honduras]] ([[2004]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cmbhapweb.cmbh.mg.gov.br:8080/silinternet/consultaNormas/detalheNorma.do?id=2c907f76166df5df01166fc44b7f337e&metodo=detalhar# |title=Lei nº 8.729, de 06 de janeiro de 2004|accessdate=29 de dezembro de 2008 |author=Câmara Municipal de Belo Horizonte}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Ecuador}} [[Cuenca, Ecuador|Cuenca]], [[Ecuador]] ([[2004]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cmbhapweb.cmbh.mg.gov.br:8080/silinternet/consultaNormas/detalheNorma.do?id=2c907f76166df5df01166fd3e81c38e2&metodo=detalhar# |title=Lei nº 8.867, de 17 de junho de 2004|accessdate=29 de dezembro de 2008 |author=Câmara Municipal de Belo Horizonte}}</ref> * {{flagicon|USA}} [[Newark, New Jersey]], [[United States]] ([[2006]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cmbhapweb.cmbh.mg.gov.br:8080/silinternet/consultaNormas/detalheNorma.do?id=2c907f76166df5df01167005a5314981&metodo=detalhar# |title=Lei nº 9.156, de 12 de janeiro de 2006|accessdate=29 de dezembro de 2008 |author=Câmara Municipal de Belo Horizonte}}</ref> |} ==See also== [[Image:Bh9.jpg|thumb|A view of Belo Horizonte.]] * [[List of mayors of Belo Horizonte, Brazil|List of mayors of Belo Horizonte]] * [[Praça da Liberdade]] * [[Tancredo Neves International Airport]] * [[Sepultura]] * [[Minas Gerais]] * [[Clube da Esquina]] * [[Pato Fu]] * [[List of municipalities in Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil|List of municipalities in Minas Gerais]] * [[Inconfidência Mineira]] ==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}} ==External links== {{sisterlinks|Belo Horizonte}} ===Official=== * {{pt icon}} [http://portalpbh.pbh.gov.br/pbh/ Official homepage] * {{pt icon}} [http://www.estaminas.com.br/ Estado de Minas Gerais Newspaper] * {{pt icon}} [http://www.BeloHorizonte.com/ Belo Horizonte Portal] ===Education=== * {{pt icon}} [http://www.pucminas.br PUC-MG] - the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais * {{pt icon}} [http://www.ufmg.br UFMG] - Federal University of Minas Gerais * {{en}} [http://www.eabh.com.br/eng/home.html Escola Americana de Belo Horizonte] - (American School of Belo Horizonte) * {{it}} [http://www.fundacaotorino.com.br Escola Internacional Fundação Torino] (School of Torino International Foundation) ===Photos=== * [http://belohorizonte.nafoto.net/ Images of Belo Horizonte] ===Architecture=== * {{pt icon}} [http://www.arqbh.com.br/ ARQBH] ===Tourism=== * {{wikitravel}} * [http://www.what-they-say.com/Belo-Horizonte-1.html Information about Belo Horizonte] * [http://www.belo-horizonte.travel/destination_guide Travel Information] * {{pt icon}} [http://www.belotur.com.br/por/index.php Maplink - Belo Horizonte Street Guide and Maps] * {{pt icon}} [http://www.webbusca.com.br/pagam/guia_belo_horizonte.htm Belo Horizonte Yellow Pages] * {{pt icon}} [http://www.idasbrasil.com.br/idasbrasil/cidades/BeloHorizonte/port/cultura.asp Culture in Belo Horizonte] ===Food security=== * [http://www.worldfuturecouncil.org/future_policy_award_film_en.html Video] about Belo Horizonte's receipt of the World Future Policy award * [http://www.ryerson.ca/foodsecurity/projects/brazil/beloresources.html Presentations and papers on Belo Horizonte] by Brazilian Canadian economist Cecilia Rocha, Toronto Food Policy Council coordinator [[Wayne Roberts]], and former city food security administrator Adriana Aranha at [[Ryerson University]]'s [http://www.ryerson.ca/foodsecurity/index.html Centre for Studies in Food Security] * [http://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/food-for-everyone/the-city-that-ended-hunger "The City that Ended Hunger"], Frances Moore Lappé's essay on Belo Horizonte's programs in Yes! Magazine {{Brazil topics}} {{Demographics of Brazil}} {{Capitals of Brazilian states}} {{BrazilLargestCities}} <noinclude> [[Category:Belo Horizonte| ]] [[Category:Cities, towns and villages in Minas Gerais State]] [[Category:State capitals in Brazil]] [[Category:Settlements established in 1701]] [[Category:Planned cities in Brazil]] [[af:Belo Horizonte]] [[ar:بيلو هوريزونتي]] [[ast:Belo Horizonte]] [[zh-min-nan:Belo Horizonte]] [[bg:Белу Оризонти]] [[ca:Belo Horizonte]] [[cs:Belo Horizonte]] [[co:Belo Horizonte]] [[da:Belo Horizonte]] [[de:Belo Horizonte]] [[et:Belo Horizonte]] [[es:Belo Horizonte]] [[eo:Belo Horizonte]] [[eu:Belo Horizonte]] [[fa:بلو هوریزونته]] [[fr:Belo Horizonte]] [[gl:Belo Horizonte]] [[ko:벨루오리존치]] [[hr:Belo Horizonte]] [[io:Belo Horizonte]] [[bpy:বেলো হোরিজোন্টে]] [[id:Belo Horizonte]] [[os:Белу-Оризонти]] [[is:Belo Horizonte]] [[it:Belo Horizonte]] [[he:בלו הוריזונטה]] [[ka:ბელუ-ორიზონტი]] [[sw:Belo Horizonte]] [[la:Urbs Pulchri Horizontis]] [[lt:Belo Horizontė]] [[lmo:Belo Horizonte]] [[hu:Belo Horizonte]] [[nl:Belo Horizonte]] [[ja:ベロオリゾンテ]] [[no:Belo Horizonte]] [[oc:Belo Horizonte]] [[pl:Belo Horizonte]] [[pt:Belo Horizonte]] [[ro:Belo Horizonte]] [[ru:Белу-Оризонти]] [[scn:Belo Horizonte (cità)]] [[simple:Belo Horizonte]] [[sr:Бело Хоризонте]] [[sh:Belo Horizonte]] [[fi:Belo Horizonte]] [[sv:Belo Horizonte]] [[tg:Белу-Оризонти]] [[tr:Belo Horizonte]] [[uk:Белу-Оризонті]] [[vi:Belo Horizonte]] [[vo:Belo Horizonte]] [[war:Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais]] [[zh:贝洛奥里藏特]]'