Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais
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Governador Valadares | |
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Municipality of Governador Valadares | |
UTC−3 (BRT) | |
HDI (2010) | 0.727 – high[2] |
Website | www |
Governador Valadares is a Brazilian municipality in the countryside of Minas Gerais. In 2020, its population was 281,046 inhabitants, thus being the ninth most populated city in the state.[1] It is an economical axis of the middle valley of the Doce River (Rio Doce, lit. "Sweet River"), having a significant influence on the east and northeast portion of Minas Gerais and local authorities of the state of Espírito Santo. Governador Valadares sits on the bank of the Doce River (Rio Doce), 324 km from Belo Horizonte, the state's capital. Governador Valadares has an area of about 2 342 km2, of which only 58 km2 is urban area.
The discovery of the city started at the beginning of the 16th century, that explored the Doce River searching for precious metals. The settlement began between the 18th and 19th centuries, constructing barracks destined to keep an eye at the Amerindians, who used to attack the settlers and merchants. With the construction of the EFVM (Vitória-Minas Railway), in 1907, the settlements were consolidated. The growth of the population and commercial development was improved due to the location of the city, that was near to coffee farms and wood extraction fields. The municipality was emancipated from Peçanha in the 1930s.
After the 1940s, the extraction of precious metals brought a notable population growth, along with livestock and commerce. However, with the decline of natural resources, the money could only be earned through the investment of immigrants, who would later go to other countries. Commerce is the most important source of income in the city, along with agribusiness and regional manufactured products.
Geography
According to the modern (2017) geographic classification by Brazil's National Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the city is the main municipality in the Intermediate Geographic Region of Governador Valadares.
Until 2017, Governador Valadares was a statistical micro-region including 25 municipalities: Alpercata, Campanário, Capitão Andrade, Coroaci, Divino das Laranjeiras, Engenheiro Caldas, Fernandes Tourinho, Frei Inocêncio, Galiléia, Governador Valadares, Itambacuri, Itanhomi, Jampruca, Marilac, Mathias Lobato, Nacip Raydan, Nova Módica, Pescador, São Geraldo da Piedade, São Geraldo do Baixio, São José da Safira, São José do Divino, Sobrália, Tumiritinga, and Virgolândia. Its population (2006) was estimated by the IBGE to be 407,815 inhabitants in a total area of 11, 327 km2.
Climate
Temperature:
- Annual average: 32.6 °C (90.7 °F])
- Annual maximum average: 40.7 °C (105.3 °F)
- Annual minimum average: 18.3 °C (65 °F)
Average annual rainfall index: 1,350 mm
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Sunset in Governador Valadares
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view of the city from above
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Shopping mall
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Carnival
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Paragliding, the main sport of the city
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Top of the Ibituruna mountain
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Ibituruna mointain reflection on Rio Doce river
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Downtown
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Rio Doce
History
Colonization of the region
Today's location of the municipality of Governador Valadares was found to be inhabited by Amerindians for at least 10 thousand years and registers from the first explorers of the region after Brazil's discovery, in 1500, provides us information that they were still numerous on that occasion.
The settlement was allowed on 1755
General information
The area around Governador Valadares was explored in colonial serve the residences of the town. It was powered by steam.
- 1923 – Figueira
In 1937, the municipality of Figueira do Rio Doce was established, which then changed its name to Governador Valadares, in honor of the governor at the time, Benedito Valadares.
Since the 1980s, Governador Valadares is known as one of the main sources of
Economy
Production and the intense trade in precious stones is the reason the "Brazil Gem Show" takes place in the local authority every year: an event that consists of the commerce of precious stones with Brazilians and foreign visitors
Governador Valadares is the biggest city and commercial center of the Eastern region of the state of Minas Gerais, having several cities in its area of influence, such as Teófilo Otoni and Caratinga. At present, Governador Valadares is growing in industrial development, due to its strategic position, human resources and international reputation.
It is a trade and industrial center. Sawmills and food-processing plants are in the city, and mica and beryl are mined in the area. Governador Valadares is one of the most famous gem-trading centres in Brazil. Gem minerals include amethyst, chrysoberyl, brazilianite, topaz and quartz. The Golconda mine, one of the oldest in the city, attracts the curiosity of tourists and stone collectors from all over the world.
Transportation
The city is served by the railroad Vitória-Minas, of
The city is on the Belo Horizonte–Vitória railway and on the Rio de Janeiro–Salvador highway. Distances from major centers:
- Belo Horizonte – 311 km
- Rio de Janeiro – 580 km
- São Paulo – 891 km
- Brasília – 1,045 km
- Vitória– 420 km
Sport
The city hosts of one of the stages of the Brazilian hang gliding championship from the peak of Ibituruna, where it is possible to catch sight of the whole valley of Rio Doce. It also hosts several international hang gliding championships.
The city is known internationally for the World Paragliding Championships that has been held at Ibituruna Peak (1123 meters).
Neighborhoods
Sister cities
Governador Valadares is
- Framingham, Massachusetts, United States
- Everett, Massachusetts, United States
- Newark, New Jersey, United States[10]
- Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States
Notable people
- Warlley Alves, MMA fighter
- Eike Batista, entrepreneur
- Geraldão, football player
- Lucas Venuto, football player
References
- ^ a b IBGE 2020
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 July 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b c "PMSB" (PDF).
- ^ "IBGE".
- ^ a b "CTMAMG". Archived from the original on 2014-02-21.
- ^ a b "IBGE".
- ^ "Valadares".
- ^ Longing for ginger ale
- ^ Leaving Valadares: A Dangerous Journey for Brazil's Illegal Migrants
- ^ Sister Cities International 2015 Membership Directory, p 53. Sister Cities International. Accessed August 31, 2015.