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Minas Gerais is the fourth largest state in Brazil,
with 586,624 Km2, an area larger than France and
Belgium combined. More than half of its territory lies at
altitudes higher than 600m. The people of Minas are closely
tied to the mountains that surround them, and these 'mineiros'
are considered to be self-reliant, contemplative, introspective
and yet welcoming.
The mountain ranges are spread out in every direction,
and their mineral reserves are incalculable. Iron, gold, aluminum,
magnesium, zinc, quartz, feldspar and nickel are a few of
the most common minerals found here. Agropecuária also holds
an important position in the economy of Minas, principally
through the production of milk and milk products. Because
of the state's natural beauty and diverse culture in the different
regions of Minas Gerais, a new industry is beginning to form:
tourism.
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The state is also famous for it's food: simple, different,
and of course, delicious. To give a few examples: lombinho de porco
assado, o tutu de feijao com torresmo e linguica, o feijao tropeiro
com couve refogada, a galinha ao molho pardo... And not to forget
other delicacies such as: queijo de minas, broa de milho, doce de
leite... Rich, traditional, historic: that is the cuisine of Minas,
and its recipes can be traced back hundreds of years.
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Distant Times
In 1835, a Dane named Peter W. Lund (1801-80),
chose to settle in Minas. By chance or by destiny this man
who, besides being a doctor, was a botany and a zoologist
built his house on the shore of a lagoon whose water contained
special medicinal properties.
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The region boasts many caves, such as the now famous
Lapinha and Maquiné. These caves were previously largely unexplored
and what studies were conducted were largely ignored. We still know
very little about the ancient peoples; their beliefs and their way
of life. However, Lund gave his contribution so that the history
of the area could begin to be told. His incursions through caverns
and caves revealed indisputable traces of ancient human habitation.
The archaeological site of Lagoa Santa boasts the second oldest
archaeological datings in all of Brazil. Lund is considered the
father of archaeology in Brazil for his pioneering work on studies
of the pleisctocene mastophon of Minas Gerais, for the discovery
and study of the "Homen da Lagoa Santa," and for identifying around
150 species of fossilized mammals.
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