EABH - Escola Americana de Belo Horizonte

Belo Horizonte is located in the southeastern part of Brazil. It's the state capital of Minas Gerais and the third largest city in country, with a population of over 3.5 million people in the greater metropolitan area. Belo Horizonte is culturally diverse, rich, exciting and very alive!

Despite its size, BH (as it's usually called) is considered by the United Nations' Population Crisis Commitee as the safest city in Brazil and the best city in Latin America, with high quality of life ratings.

To learn more about Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais and Brazil, check out the following websites:

• US Virtual Presence Post in Belo Horizonte
• www.pbh.gov.br
• www.belotur.com.br
• www.embratur.gov.br

Curral Del Rey, as Belo Horizonte was first called when it was founded in 1701 by Joao Leite da Silva Ortiz, was a small settlement that served primarily as a stop for explorers who were in charge of taming Brazil's inner lands.

The settlement soon grew in importance and size due to its attractive natural beauty, strategic position and proximity to the rich gold mining town of Ouro Preto and other cities like Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

In 1897, the new capital of the state of Minas Gerais was born: Belo Horizonte. It was the first planned city in Brazil, inspired by the architecture and city planning of Washington, D.C., with long and wide boulevards crisscrossing the city plan, squares, plazas and lush vegetation.

Nicknamed Garden City, Belo Horizonte is now the third largest city in Brazil, with a population of over 3.5 million people in 23 counties. It's fast becoming the country's second largest economy and already is a major political and cultural center.

by Aprint Studio