Santos Dumont

Santos Dumont is a municipality in south-central Minas Gerais located at 839 meters elevation near the BR040 highway. The town sits between the urban centers of Barbacena and Juiz de Fora, serving as a regional connection point.

The area was initially called Arraial de João Gomes and later renamed Palmyra before receiving its current name in 1932 to honor aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont. This renaming acknowledged his groundbreaking contributions to aircraft development.

The Cabangu Museum, located about 16 kilometers from the city center, preserves the birthplace of Alberto Santos-Dumont and displays aviation artifacts and photographs. This site connects the town's identity to the pioneering work in aviation history.

The municipality is well connected by roads and local routes to nearby towns. The elevation and terrain make it pleasant to explore, particularly for visitors interested in rural areas.

In 1888, the first dairy factory in South America was established here, introducing innovative techniques in milk and butter production. This early industrial initiative made the town a pioneer in agricultural processing for the region.

Location: Minas Gerais

Inception: July 27, 1889

Elevation above the sea: 930 m

Shares border with: Juiz de Fora, Tabuleiro, Ewbank da Câmara, Aracitaba, Antônio Carlos, Oliveira Fortes, Barbacena, Bias Fortes, Piau

Website: http://santosdumont.mg.gov.br

GPS coordinates: -21.45667,-43.55250

Latest update: December 17, 2025 10:53