MINAS GERAES, me'fnash zlitt-risle. An eastern State of Brazil, bounded by Bahia on the north, Espirito Santo on the east, Itio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo on the south. and Goyaz on the west (Map: Brazil. H 7). Area, 221,890 square miles. The Slate lies wholly in the Brazilian Plateau. Wall an average elevation of 2000 feet, and is traversed by a number of mountain ranges, whieh, although the highest in Brazil. are not very prominent, owing to the general elevation of the surrounding country. The prineipal ranges are the Serra dal 31anti queira along the southern frontier, and the Serra du Espinhaco, running north and south through the centre of the State. At their junction is Amid Itatiaia, about 9000 feet high and the highest point in Brazil. Only the mountain ranges and the river valleys are forested; be tween them are extensive steppes covered only with grass and scanty shrubbery. Minas Geraes is watered hy numerous rivers. including the 550 Francisco (with its numerous tributaries which take in the larger portion of the State), the headstreams tif the Parann, and the Doee. these only the Silo Francisco is navigable, but it does not afford direct communication with the Atlantic owing to its numerous rapids. The climate differs according to the formation of the surface. it is very hot in the thickly wooded valleys, but moderate and not unhealthful in the more elevated portions, where the temperature may even reach the freezing point luring the night. In former years the chief economic in
terest of „Minas Genes was centred in its gold and Ill311101141 twines. At present., however. mining is in a state of decline. Iron ore is found in great quantities; and gold is still mined to some extent, but the diamond mines are well-nigh abandoned. The chief industries are in connec tion agriculture and stock-raising, the leading agricultural products being eotTec. su gar, vont, beans. and potatoes. Stock-raising is carried on extensively. and cheese is pro duced in large quantities. The chief man ufactures are those of cotton. textiles, and cigars. Itailway lines traverse the southern portion of the State and are connected with the Rio de Janeiro lines. Minas Gyrates had 3 ion of 3.181.1)99 in 1890. The ants are largely of mixed and the number of aborigines is still considerable; negroes are also aumerous. Minas Oeraes was settled at the end of the sixteenth century, immigrants being attraeted there by the gold and diamond deposits the region. It was separated from Rio de Janeiro in 170!) and several tittles rose in re volt against the ventral govt.'. mt. Up to 189-1 the capital was Our° Preto (q.v.), hut the seat of government was then removed to Bello Horizonte or Minas (q.v.).