MINAS GERAES, an interior province in e. Brazil, bounded on the n. by Bahia, on the e. by Porto Seguro and Espiritu Santo, on the s. by Rio Janeiro and SAo Paulo, and on the w. by Goy-az, 237,481 sq.m.; pop. '72, 2,039,735. It is an elevated table-land, inter sected by many mountain chains, which send out offshoots in all directions. The highest peaks are Itambi, 5,950, and Itacolumi, 5,750 ft. above the-level of the sea.' Between the mountain ridges are sloping and well-watered valleys. There is an abundance of small streams, which flow into the Sao Francisco, or the tributaries of the Parana. The Sao Francisco rises in the s. of the province, flows through almost its entire length, forms the boundary line between Bahia and Pernambuco, and between Sergipe del Rei and Alao-oas, and finally falls into the Atlantic ocean. The Doce and the Jequitinonha flow e. Co the Atlantic, and the Rio Grande and Rio Parnahiba unite to form the Parano. Other rivers of importance are the Verde Grande, Paranahyba, Rio das Velhas, and Mucury. On account of its elevation the climate is much milder than that of districts within the same parallels of latitude. The soil is fertile, and produces the ordinary cereals of the temperate zones, besides the crops characteristic of a warmer climate, such as tobacco, cotton, sugar, coffee, and indigo. Ipecacuanha, manioc, and jalap are pro
duced largely. The productions of the country are exported to the neighboring prov inces, from which imports of wine, salt, and flour are made. The valleys between the mountains are used for grazino. purposes, and cattle are raised in large numbers. The mines were formerly among t& richest in Brazil, yielding large quantities of gold, but they are for the most part abandoned, though gold is still found in paying quantities. Diamonds were discovered in the province in 1746, and diamond-washing is extensively pursued. Other varieties of precious stones are found in the rivers. The mineral deposits are extensive, including, besides gold and silver, iron, lead, mercury, bismuth, antimony, alum, and sulphur. The want of railroads makes transportation, which is dependent on mules, difficult and expensive. Cotton and woolen manufactories, foun dries, and other manufacturing industries have been introduced. Capital, Ouro Preto.