Capital of the State of Minas Gerais and Brazil's third largest city with a population of over 2.5 million. Belo Horizonte was founded relatively recently, in 1897, and has been developed especially to take over Ouro Preto's role as the capital of the State of Minas Gerais. It is one of the countries first urban planned cities, with wide landscaped avenues and carefully laid-out residential suburbs. Not surprisingly, being the capital of the mineral rich state Minas Gerais, the city plays an important role in the distribution of mining products like gold, silver and gemstones. The city is also a leading cultural center, with three universities, a historical museum, numerous libraries, and sports stadiums.

The city's main tourist attraction is Pampulha, a planned neighborhood surrounding a man-made lake and graced by an architectural complex designed by world famous Oscar Niemeyer. It is one of the outstanding success stories of contemporary Brazilian architecture Although Belo Horizonte itself does not overflow with highlights and tourist attractions, its proximity to some of Brazil's most important and well-preserved colonial cities (Ouro Preto, Mariana, Congonhas, Tiradentes, São João del Rei, Sabará and Diamantina) makes it a good base from which to explore Minas Gerais.