Andrelândia
| Andrelândia | ||
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Coordinates: 21 ° 44 ′ S , 44 ° 18 ′ W Andrelândia on the map of Brazil
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| Basic data | ||
| Country | Brazil | |
| State | Minas Gerais | |
| Residents | 12,369 (2009) | |
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| Detailed data | ||
| surface | 1007 km 2 | |
| Population density | 12 inhabitants / km 2 | |
| height | 998 m | |
| Post Code | 37300-000 | |
| prefix | +55 (0) 35 | |
| City Presidency | Samuel Isac Fonseca (PSDB) | |
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Andrelândia is a city in the south of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais . It is 998 meters above sea level, has an area of about 1010 km², is about 300 km from Belo Horizonte , the capital of the state of Minas Gerais, 396 km from São Paulo , 990 km from Brasília and 250 km from Rio de Janeiro away. The city has around 12,000 inhabitants.
history
The colonization of the Andrelandia area began as a result of gold mining in the south of Minas Gerais . Before 1700 there were already some adventurers looking for gold in this area in addition to the local mountain farmers . Around 1736, the Portuguese farmer André da Silveira immigrated to Brazil and settled in the area. André probably came from a wealthy family as he could write, a skill that was rare at the time. He kept slaves who worked on his farm, the Fazenda das Bicas .
In 1749, André da Silveira received permission from Bishop Marianas , D. Manoel da Cruz, to build a chapel dedicated to the Madonna of Porto, later renamed Nossa Senhora do Porto da Eterna Salvação (Madonna of Porto of Eternal Salvation) has been. It is located in today's city center. André da Silveira commissioned a picture of the Virgin Mary in Portugal, which can still be seen in this church today. André da Silveira was married to Maria do Livramento and had two daughters, Maria da Silveira and Tereza, who was adopted. After the death of his wife, he moved to Piedade do Rio Grande and lived there until his death.
A settlement developed around this chapel and many people settled in the new village, which was soon recognized as a parish. From the 17th century, families from Lebanon, Spain, Portugal and Italy settled in the city to look for gold. The construction of the first railroad in the region also offered the immigrants income opportunities.
On July 20, 1868 the settlement was named Vila Bela do Turvo (Beautiful Village of Turvo) and the status of a town at a meeting of the municipal council . In 1930 the city was renamed Andrelândia in honor of André da Silveira. With the construction of the railway between Andrelândia and Arantina from 1980 and the associated improved employment opportunities, the number of the population increased sharply and the infrastructure improved.
economy
The main industries are agriculture, dairy production, tourism and services. Several types of cheese and yogurt are made. The main agricultural products are coffee, corn, potatoes, beans, sugar cane and tomatoes. The largest usable area consists of plantations for the production of eucalyptus and pine wood. In small quantities, a liquor is distilled from sugar cane and there is little wine production.
Every year the Exposição agropecuária takes place in the Parque de Exposições, where the farmers of the region exhibit products and the best products are awarded. The exhibition is accompanied by a rich cultural program.
language
The official language in Andrelândia is Portuguese. People of different ethnicities who immigrated to the region often gave up their mother tongue and speak Portuguese, with a stronger dialect in Minas Gerais .
religion
According to the last census, 89% of the population are Catholic, 9% Protestant, 1.5% indicate no religion and 0.5% belong to another religious community.
Culture
The music in Andrelandia is no different from the usual music in south-east Brazil, such as Sertaneja , Pop or MPB (Brazilian Folk Music).
Events
- Festival de férias . The Festival de Férias takes place once a year and is attended by famous Brazilian music groups.
- Andréfolia , the carnival. The carnival in Andrelândia is organized by the so-called blocos . Blocos are groups or associations that design and present carnival costumes under a certain motto. The “Bloco das Virgens” is a mixed group in which the men wear women's clothes and the women appear in men's clothes.
Web links
- City Prefecture website (Portuguese)