Belo Horizonte

Belo Horizonte (pop. 1,443,000), city in Brazil, about 220 mi (354 km) north of Rio de Janeiro. It is a fast-growing city, with heavy industry and secondary products including furniture, textiles, and footwear. The capital of Minas Gerais state, Belo Horizonte was built in 1895–97 as Brazil's first planned city. It is a center of culture and tourism.

See also: Brazil.