Montes Claros

Montes Claros is a Brazilian municipality located in the northern region of the state of Minas Gerais. Situated north of the state capital, Belo Horizonte, it lies approximately 422 km (262 mi) away. The municipality spans an area of 3,589.811 km (1,386.034 sq mi), with 73.51 km (28.38 sq mi) within its urban area. As of the 2022 census, its population was 414,240, making it the fifth most populous municipality in Minas Gerais.

Montes Claros achieved emancipation in the 19th century and has long relied on industry and commerce as key economic drivers, establishing itself as a regional industrial hub. The municipality is currently divided into ten districts and further subdivided into approximately 200 neighborhoods and villages. It boasts a variety of natural, historical, and cultural attractions, including the Milton Prates Municipal Park, Guimarães Rosa Park, and Sapucaia Park, which are significant green spaces, as well as notable structures such as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Aparecida and the Small Church of the Little Hills, alongside numerous archaeological sites.