Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais

Governador Valadares

Flag
Coat of arms
Motto: Princesinha do Vale (Princess of the Valley)
Governador Valadares
Coordinates: 18°51′03″S 41°56′56″W / 18.85083°S 41.94889°W / -18.85083; -41.94889
Country  Brazil
State Minas Gerais
Mesoregion Vale do Rio Doce
Demonym Valadarense
Founded January 30, 1938
Government
 • Mayor Elisa Maria Costa (PT)
Area
 • Total 2,348.1 km2 (906.6 sq mi)
Elevation 170 m (560 ft)
Population (2010)
 • Total 263,594
 • Density 112.26/km2 (290.8/sq mi)
Website www.valadares.mg.gov.br

Governador Valadares is a Brazilian municipality in the state of Minas Gerais. In 2006, its population was 260,405 inhabitants. It is an economical center of the middle valley of the Doce River (Rio Doce, lit. "sweet river"), having a significant influence on the east and northeast of Minas Gerais and local authorities of the state of the Espírito Santo. Governador Valadares sits on the bank of the Doce River (Rio Doce), 324 km from Belo Horizonte.

Micro-region

Governador Valadares is also 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.

History

The area around Governador Valadares was explored in colonial serve the residences of the town. It was powered by steam.

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 Brazilian immigrants to the United States, even earning the nickname "Governador Valadolares" in reference to expatriates sending remittances of their dollar salaries. However, the late 2000s recession made many of the Valadares immigrants to return home since financial security became worse in the United States.[1][2]

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 his 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 Vale S.A. and by the highway Rio-Bahia (BR-116). It is also connected with the capital of the state by the BR-381.

The city is on the Belo Horizonte–Vitória railway and on the Rio de Janeiro–Salvador highway. Distances from major centers:

Cel. Altino Machado de Oliveira Airport is a category 3 facility, with a paved runway 1,400 meters long. There are regular flights to Belo Horizonte, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Seguro, Salvador, and Vitória.

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, leading the local municipal authority declare the city to be "The World-wide Capital of Hang Gliding".

The city is known internationally for the World Paragliding Championships that has been held at Ibituruna Peak (1123 meters).

Climate

Temperature:

Average annual rainfall index: 1,350 mm

Sister cities

Governador Valadares is twinned with the following cities:

References

  1. ↑ Longing for ginger ale
  2. ↑ Leaving Valadares: A Dangerous Journey for Brazil's Illegal Migrants
  3. ↑ Sister Cities International 2015 Membership Directory, p 53. Sister Cities International. Accessed August 31, 2015.

External links

Coordinates: 18°51′S 41°56′W / 18.850°S 41.933°W / -18.850; -41.933

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