Pará de Minas

Pará de Minas is a Brazilian municipality located in the state of Minas Gerais, in the Southeast Region of Brazil. It is part of the metropolitan belt of Belo Horizonte and is situated west of the state capital, approximately 75 km (47 mi) away in the Central region of Minas Gerais. The municipality covers an area of 551.247 km² (212.838 sq mi), with 9.9 km² (3.8 sq mi) within the urban area. Its population was estimated at 102,033 inhabitants in 2024.

The municipality's average annual temperature is 21.8 °C (71.2 °F), and its original vegetation is predominantly Atlantic Forest. With 95% of the population residing in the urban area, the city had 50 healthcare facilities in 2009. Its Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.725, classified as high compared to the national average.

The exploration of the area that is now Pará de Minas began in the second half of the 17th century, following the establishment of a rest stop for bandeirantes traveling to and from the mines of Pitangui, some of whom settled in the area. The construction of the Our Lady of Mercy Chapel in the 18th century marks the establishment of the settlement, which developed over decades through subsistence agriculture. It was elevated to district status in 1846 and achieved municipal emancipation in 1859. Throughout the 20th century, the textile industry, steel industry, and agribusiness gained prominence, establishing Pará de Minas as a key regional hub for pig farming and poultry farming.